This post contains some thoughts on freedom from a Biblical perspective true to any and every society. As far as freedom in our American experiment, I want to say I am very thankful for the veterans who sacrificed time, energy, and often much much more to protect, preserve and uphold the boundaries which provide our American freedoms. I am sorry for the times we have squandered it or taken it for granted. And I pray for President Biden and all the others leading our nation today. I pray they, and we, would trust in the Lord with all our hearts, lean not on our own understating, acknowledge Him in all our ways, so He can we make our path straight. Yesterday was Veteran’s Day, so I want to say Happy Veteran’s Day and thank you for your service!
Christ did not set us free so we can do whatever we want. He set us free so we can do what is beautiful.
Last night I met a lady at church who is fresh out of prison. She was in prison for four years and has been out for three months. After being locked up and distrusted for so long, she is free and very unsure. You could see in her eyes and hear in her voice how different and scary freedom is. In her muscle memory she knows how things were before prison. The last time she had all the freedoms granted by our society she ended up locked up. Yet, this time it feels different because she is “going to church.” She kept laughing as she repeated stories of telling family members she is “going to church.” You could hear in the tone of her voice the joy she experiences by shocking them with that phrase. You could also see in her expression her own shock and surprise at the fact that she is “going to church.”
Right now she is treading water, barely keeping her hope breathing and fears at bay, but she believes she can stay free. She believes Jesus is with her and for her. She believes the Christian family she crashed into can make a difference. (She was invited to church by a woman from Living Streams that she literally crashed into — right in front of our church.) And what is fascinating is she has found the joy of using her freedom to lift up and serve others. She is bringing co-workers and friends to church all the time. She is talking to her boss and some of our staff about service projects and feeding programs that she wants to do.
I am so excited to see how her “mustard seed of faith” against so much fear will, in time, become a beautiful confidence overcoming every fear. Jesus is faithful to complete what He has started in us. Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith. If we can stay close to him, he will always lead us into triumphal procession. Jesus said the Spirit of the Lord is upon Him to set the captives free, so they can use their freedom to do what is beautiful. And in the economy of heaven, sacrificial love is the most beautiful.
David