Getting ready for July 4^th? When I think of the required elements for the holiday—flags, food, and fireworks, picnics and parades—it strikes me that what we’re really celebrating is patriotism, not independence. After all, it has been 234 years since America broke away from British rule—we’ve become quite comfortable with self-reliance.

(Jon Warren/World Vision)

I’m rather comfortable with independence, myself. You might already know my story: I took my destiny into my own hands early on. When I was 10, I realized that my struggling, divorced parents wouldn’t be able to make things happen for me. Eight years, I remember thinking—that’s how long I have to make it till I’m on my own. I did it; I finished high school and got a scholarship to Cornell. And along the way, I became convinced that I didn’t need anyone, especially not God.

I’m thankful that as a graduate student, the time came when I made a 180-degree change and committed my life to Christ. But it took me years and many life lessons before I fully surrendered to God. The Israelites learned reliance the hard way, too. During the 40 years they wandered in the desert, God gave them daily manna, but only just enough, so they couldn’t hoard it or store it up. Every day, they had to trust in God’s provision.

That’s a tough spot. There are those who might even say it’s un-American to rely on someone or something else; we are a pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps culture. And yet, as a Christian, if you don’t surrender all to God, your faith is dead in the water.

So maybe it’s counter-cultural, but this Fourth of July, I’d like to set off a few fireworks to celebrate my dependence on my Lord and my God, who made me and knows me and in whom I can fully trust.