Interdependence

Steve Jobs wrote himself an email reminding himself how many people past and present he relied upon to accomplish his work, and even to survive. It is humbling to be reminded of how many others we depend upon each day. It is also ennobling to be needed by others. Perish the thought that you are a solitary, self-made, self-sufficient man. We need others, and they need us.

From: Steve Jobs, sjobs@apple.com
To: Steve Jobs, sjobs@apple.com
Date: Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 11:08PM

I grow little of the food I eat, and of the little I do grow
I did not breed or perfect the seeds.

I do not make any of my own clothing.

I speak a language I did not invent or refine.

I did not discover the mathematics I use. 

I am protected by freedoms and laws I did not conceive
of or legislate, and do not enforce or adjudicate.

I am moved by music I did not create myself. When I needed medical attention, I was helpless to help myself survive. 

I did not invent the transistor, the microprocessor, object oriented programming, or most of the technology I work with. 

I love and admire my species, living and dead, and am totally dependent on them for my life and well being.

Sent from my iPad

The Parts of the Body

Each of us can play an essential role, whether in the spotlight or backstage.

¹⁴ For in fact the body is not a single member, but many. ¹⁵ If the foot says, “Since I am not a hand, I am not part of the body,” it does not lose its membership in the body because of that. ¹⁶ And if the ear says, “Since I am not an eye, I am not part of the body,” it does not lose its membership in the body because of that. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, what part would do the hearing? If the whole were an ear, what part would exercise the sense of smell? ¹⁸ But as a matter of fact, God has placed each of the members in the body just as he decided. ¹⁹ If they were all the same member, where would the body be? ²⁰ So now there are many members, but one body. ²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” nor in turn can the head say to the foot, “I do not need you.” ²² On the contrary, those members that seem to be weaker are essential, ²³ and those members we consider less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our unpresentable members are clothed with dignity, ²⁴ but our presentable members do not need this. Instead, God has blended together the body, giving greater honor to the lesser member, ²⁵ so that there may be no division in the body, but the members may have mutual concern for one another. ²⁶ If one member suffers, everyone suffers with it. If a member is honored, all rejoice with it.

1 Corinthians 4:12-28, NIV

Praxis

1. Make a list of a dozen people and institutions you rely upon today, from a sanitation worker to your spouse.
2. Consider reaching out to thank someone you depend upon.
3. Think about who depends on you and the vital role you play in serving others.