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* Our thoughts, discussions and activities turn toward the idea of “freedom”, which has historically been something to be celebrated. * On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. Every year thousands leave their homeland to come to the United States with a dream of living free. * Our entire lives seem to be motivated by this quest for “freedom”… to be unrestrained; uninhibited. We view freedom as the capacity to do whatever we want (all of us have either been the targets of that speech or have made that declaration ourselves). Apparently, this freedom that we so desire is attainable at the age of (18). “I’m (18) now, you can’t tell me what to do!” “I’m (18) now, I’ll do whatever I want!” * We are declaring our “independence”! Obviously, freedom embraces (2) important concepts for us: 1) To live in such a way that life is not imposed upon us (we are the sole authority); we will determine the course of our life. 2) True freedom is to be discovered as I get what I want (which, by the way, doesn’t often leave much room for you!) * This presumes a couple of things: 1) It assumes that we are properly equipped to know and comprehend life in such a way that eliminates the need for any “outside” influence. 2) It assumes that I know what I really want and that if secured, I’ll be “free”. Freedom is the uninhibited pursuit of pleasure. * Over the course of the past few months, I have suggested that the goal of life is to be “with God” and be “with others”. You can see how the assumptions that we make regarding freedom are in direct conflict with this approach to life. 1) We can’t be “with God” because God is an “outsider” attempting to impose his way of life on us; a way of life that is restricting and confining. We feel the need to separate ourselves from God because he is the one holding us back. 2) We can’t be “with others” because others simply prove to be an obstacle (or a means) to my personal fulfillment. * So often, our initial quest for freedom comes in the form of “rebellion”. Our reaction to restraint. We throw off the restrictions and rules that have held us back! * Our declaration of, “I’m free” must be met with the question, “Free to what?” - live as if God did not exist, - ignore the rules and enjoy the chaos that it offers (in Mogadishu, Somalia you are free to drive on either side of the road?!) - abuse and over-indulge, - drink ourselves into “oblivion” and enjoy the accompanying nausea and the unique experience of feeling your heart beat in your head! - have meaningless, uncommitted sex with multiple partners (each time, losing a bit of our souls in the process), - to pursue your own personal fulfillment at the expense of others, - hold a grudge and carry bitterness throughout your entire lifetime. * I have discovered that freedom is strangely allusive. No matter what our current condition, the freedom we desire is to be found somewhere else (next city, the next home, the next job, the next relationship, etc.). * There are so many “ironies” associated with freedom: ● WE SEEK FREEDOM FROM GOD, WHEN JESUS SAID THAT TRUE FREEDOM IS ONLY TO BE FOUND IN GOD. ● THE THINGS WE FREELY CHOOSE OFTEN COST US OUR FREEDOM. The exhilaration we feel with being “free” could actually be leading us to entrapment. ● IF LEFT TO OURSELVES (INDEPENDENCE), WE ACTUALLY CREATE THE VERY CIRSUMTANCES WHICH ENSLAVE US (I believe Creed identified it as “My Own Prison”). ● YOU CAN BE FREE AND ASSUME YOU’RE IN BONDAGE AND YOU CAN ACTUALLY BE IN BONDAGE AND ASSUME YOU’RE FREE! ● ULTIMATELY, THE FREEDOM WE SEEK RESULTS IN CONFORMITY. Definition of “conformity”- the freedom to be like everyone else! While we’re busy doing “whatever we want”, it robs us of our chance to be unique. Freedom is being released to be who you were created to be. Reflections… ►It’s hard to live “freely”. God knew that if left to ourselves, we would reach all the wrong conclusions about life and our choices would ultimately cause us to “self-destruct”. ►Freedom is essentially the power to choose and it has been our choice all along. But, in order to live truly free, we must understand that with our choices come responsibilities. So, in real freedom, there is discipline (a divine order to your life; a result of God’s lingering Spirit in us); a means by which you can live freely. * The story of the nation of Israel was an epic journey from bondage to freedom. Their prime narrative is the “Passover”, celebrating their liberation from Egyptian bondage. But, they continuously failed at handling the responsibilities of freedom and they didn’t cope well with the endless opportunities facing them. Adam and Eve faced with the potential for boundless opportunities within the freedom of life with their Creator chose to limit themselves. ►God consistent self-revelation is that of a rescuer; a liberator. Despite the images and the notions that God is holding out on us, or determined to restrict our freedom. ►We were created to be free, but to live within the boundaries of God’s grace. When Austin was a baby (crawled out of the crib): it was time to formulate new ways of restricting his access and placing limitations on his freedom. Why? Because he wasn’t responsible enough to handle the freedom that he had discovered. * And, we did this with car seats, and high chairs, and lawn fences, etc. But, what he could not understand was that every “supposed limitation” or “restriction of his freedom” was prompted by love and sincere desire for him to properly enjoy life and the freedom to which he was called. Galatians 5:1,13 1 “Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you. 13 It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows.” * God’s desire is “freedom” and “life”. It’s why the Bible most often uses words like “slavery” and “death” to describe sin. ►Freedom is living beyond the limitations of our own selfish desires. Apparently, it’s our own selfish passions which are actually restricting us. Psalm 119:32 “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” (TNIV) Psalm 119:32 “I'll run the course you lay out for me if you'll just show me how.” (MESSAGE) * Freedom happens when God liberates us from the restraints of our own passions. In the boundaries of his grace, we are now free to love without condition, to give generously, to show compassion and mercy, to forgive without limit (“should I forgive 7 times… 70x7”). ►It’s only when God is your delight that your heart can be trusted. Psalm 37:4 “Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” * God’s desire to give us “singleness of heart” (Jeremiah 32) was not to limit us, but to eliminate the distractions! * So, this life of freedom that we desire and for which we were created involves both a “divine” and a “human” component: God’s movement
changes our heart (passions); our movement adopts his ideals as a means of
divine-order for our lives. |
