By Pastor Jen Barnet, JONAH President and pastor of Hope UMC and Pleasant Valley UMC
As Independence Day passes, adorned with red, white, and blue bunting, parades, and fireworks, it offers a time to reflect on our nation’s journey. Yet, amidst the celebrations, there’s a growing unease about our polarized society. Patriotism often becomes a litmus test for partisan loyalty rather than a celebration of our diverse nation.
In recent years, I’ve pondered whether Independence Day needs an upgrade. It’s so 1776. Perhaps we need to repurpose this holiday to imagine a different future. Perhaps it’s time for Interdependence Day.
Back when we fought for independence from another country, our bluecoats battled redcoats. Today, we live in red states or blue states and fight each other. The 13 Colonies once stood united, but now big cities and their suburbs compete with rural regions over appropriations, moral codes, and historical narratives. This divisiveness leaves us vulnerable to both internal and external threats.
More importantly, I’ve grown to believe less in the idea of independence and more in the concept of interdependence. Everything is interconnected. This truth is revealed in the elegance of ecosystems, the tragedy of global pollution and climate change, and for Christians, in the mystery of the Trinity.
My early dream of rugged independence—being completely off-grid and self-sufficient—crumbled the first few times my support system of neighbors, friends, and family helped me out of a jam. I realized that my ideal was both impossible and unfulfilling. Instead, I’ve come to embrace “rugged interdependence,” which means working hard and taking an active role in providing for your own needs while recognizing that true survival and fulfillment come from belonging generously to a larger whole. Take a moment to reflect on the African word “Ubuntu,” often translated as “I am what I am because of who we all are.” Nelson Mandela encapsulated the many interpretations by calling ubuntu an African concept that means “the profound sense that we are human only through the humanity of others; that if we are to accomplish anything in this world, it will in equal measure be due to the work and achievements of others.”
Interdependence is not only foundational to societal living; it is also God’s intention for all people. As a Christian, I see this through the gifts each person is given through the Spirit. God sent the Holy Spirit to believers, bestowing gifts on each one so that the body of Christ would function as an interdependent unit. “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good… You are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
There are no limits to what we can accomplish if we understand and embrace the power of interdependence.