“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself ’.” Galatians 5:13-14

Lack of accountability, a reluctance to commit to relationships and agreements, and the desire to avoid anything binding are not an especially western phenomenon. My life in various different cultures taught me that our reluctance to commit is simply a human trait, inherent to all cultures. However, in the west this phenomenon has found strength in building the illusion that independence and individuality, or no longer needing be accountable to anyone, are all signs of freedom and maturity. What a tragic misunderstanding!

This form of independence is almost always superficial and eventually leads to emptiness and loneliness. True freedom, however, grows when we are truly anchored, when we can experience belonging, security, trust and acceptance. We were created to be part of community and as Christians we cannot grow or mature outside of fellowship and commitment. We have the opportunity to experience support, healing and liberation when we share our lives with others, show ourselves in our reality, and allow ourselves to be confronted by their realities – always on a common foundation of trust and support.