About that independence

The islands recently held an election, which brought me back to a topic which I ponder from time to time, especially because of my English classes.

Independence: freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, of the like, of others. (dictionary.com)

Independence is a myth. It's a nice myth, but still a myth. Since when was anyone truly free from the influence of others? Only a world filled with sociopaths could say that they weren't influenced by others, and a world filled with sociopaths wouldn't last very long.

 

One of my old English classes had a unit on patriotism, which included a discussion on independence. I always found it fascinating to hear my students' thoughts on the subject, especially as, for a few of them, their country's independence from colonialism happened in their lifetime. For many of them it was in their parents' lifetime. Is independence only about a country being independent from another country? Or a child from a parent? 

Many people fight for independence, but struggle when they've obtained it. They don't want to be ruled by others, but struggle to rule themselves. The qualities which make an excellent freedom fighter often don't make excellent coalition-building or peacemaking.

I recently visited South Africa, and toured many of the places which memorialize South Africans' fight against apartheid. For those who are unaware, apartheid was a system in South Africa which separated persons who were black, white, mixed, and Asian. People were given access to resources, jobs, and geographic locations based on their appearance and ethnicity. And this system was only abolished in the 1990's. 

Apartheid was the idea of separateness. So when apartheid was abolished, what was the solution for bringing healing? Togetherness? But it's hard to work together with those who have oppressed and abused you. Independence means you're free not to. But what's best for the future of the country? To reverse the advantages given to whites and pass them instead to blacks? To mandate equal partnership between all races and languages existing in the common space? 

What's the ideal? 

And South Africa, like many countries around the world, has struggled with the issue of leadership. A country will flourish when they have wise and strong leaders who are characterized by sacrificial love for country and are limited/empowered by the command to love God completely and love others as you love yourself. 

As believers we're instructed to pray for "kings, and for all those who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life." When's the last time you prayed for your country, for the leaders specifically? When you pray for those serving overseas, pray for the government leaders, for their hearts, their families, and their leading. 

But when you want to exercise your independence, consider: is this coming from the law of love, or from the love of self?