Hi, there are a lot of things I simply cannot
do. I cannot fix a leaky toilet. I can't repair
that engine in my car. And I certainly cannot
build a house. When I stop and think about it,
it's amazing how little I can actually do on
my own. But I can do a few things. And so can
you. Now the cool thing is, that neither of us
have to do everything. We belong to communities.
One person knows plumbing and another understands
electricity. I know neither. Someone teaches
children and someone grows food. Someone cares
for the sick. Each of us contributes something.
And together, we accomplish far more than any
of us could alone. Now, math has an interesting
word for this. Sometimes events are independent.
One event has no effect on another. But much
of life is not like that. Our lives are deeply
connected, deeply dependent. The choices I make
affect my family. My family affects my neighborhood.
My neighborhood affects my city. And together,
we shape the communities where we live. We often
celebrate independence. But when I look at my
life, I realize how dependent I am on other people.
I have benefited from my family and my church,
my friends and my co -workers. People who have
encouraged me. and challenged me and helped me
become who I am today. And as I think about the
years ahead, I find myself asking a different
question. Not how can I become more independent,
but how can I become a better contributor? How
can I strengthen the communities that have strengthened
me? And perhaps that's a lesson that uncertainty
teaches us. None of us knows who will need help
tomorrow. And over a lifetime, each of us will
spend seasons receiving and seasons giving. We
were never meant to do life alone. We are all
part of communities. So when you think of the
communities that are important to you, the natural
question to ask is, how are your daily choices
helping? these communities flourish.