Freedom
I am always surprised how God works things together. I wrote this entry a few days ago and just saved it as a draft because I wanted to mull over some more thoughts I had surrounding the topic. Then, this Sunday the sermon totally touched on the same thing. That is so neat. Anyway, now I kind of wish I had just posted it before because (as I should have guessed) I have forgotten what else I wanted to add........
March 19 9:24 AM:
I often hear people remark about how free we are here in the US. I am not in disagreement with the fact that we have choices many other countries do not. However, when I think about what freedom truly is, it has nothing to do with where i live. Freedom comes from inside us. If you have never seen "Broken Down Palace", please rent it. The movie speaks to this very concept. I saw it years ago, but am just recently able to appreciate it's full meaning. I love how our perceptions can recreate things in great new and insightful ways (possible tangent avoided here).
I would argue that a Christian fully submitted to The Lord, in Sudan or any other oppressive or conflictual place, is more free than many people in the US.
While I believe that true freedom only comes from knowing God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - if a deity was removed from the equation there would still be some people that experience inner freedom to a much greater degree than "Christians", and citizens of "free" countries. Citizens in the US are free from many governmental imposed limits, yet they are bound by expectations, cultural norms and the numbness that comes with comfort.
The list of chains could go on and on.
How free do you really feel? How free are you in actuality? I want to be as free as I can while trapped in what I know as myself and this life.
So, I have been thinking about what keeps me in bondage and it is too unnerving to share here in any detail. Instead, here are some side thoughts: I have heard it said that we are our worst enemy; I believe this is only partially true. My true enemy is satan (1Peter 5:8), but he uses me against myself and others. In many ways, I am a pawn in the most important battle, while God longs for me to be a key player (Eph. 6:12-14). Don't you wish you could get a look at the master plan for your life? On second thought, I don't think I could handle it.
I don't claim to be good at chess or know any decent strategies. I do know, however, that if you want to be good, you must think far ahead of your opponent. Thank God that he is prepared and sees things that I am completely blind to at this point. It will all be revealed to me in time.
Lord, release me from the strongholds in my life and fill me with all that I need to be truly free.
I know God that You will answer me and tell me great and unsearchable things I do not know (Jer. 33:3)
March 19 9:24 AM:
I often hear people remark about how free we are here in the US. I am not in disagreement with the fact that we have choices many other countries do not. However, when I think about what freedom truly is, it has nothing to do with where i live. Freedom comes from inside us. If you have never seen "Broken Down Palace", please rent it. The movie speaks to this very concept. I saw it years ago, but am just recently able to appreciate it's full meaning. I love how our perceptions can recreate things in great new and insightful ways (possible tangent avoided here).
I would argue that a Christian fully submitted to The Lord, in Sudan or any other oppressive or conflictual place, is more free than many people in the US.
While I believe that true freedom only comes from knowing God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - if a deity was removed from the equation there would still be some people that experience inner freedom to a much greater degree than "Christians", and citizens of "free" countries. Citizens in the US are free from many governmental imposed limits, yet they are bound by expectations, cultural norms and the numbness that comes with comfort.
The list of chains could go on and on.
How free do you really feel? How free are you in actuality? I want to be as free as I can while trapped in what I know as myself and this life.
So, I have been thinking about what keeps me in bondage and it is too unnerving to share here in any detail. Instead, here are some side thoughts: I have heard it said that we are our worst enemy; I believe this is only partially true. My true enemy is satan (1Peter 5:8), but he uses me against myself and others. In many ways, I am a pawn in the most important battle, while God longs for me to be a key player (Eph. 6:12-14). Don't you wish you could get a look at the master plan for your life? On second thought, I don't think I could handle it.
I don't claim to be good at chess or know any decent strategies. I do know, however, that if you want to be good, you must think far ahead of your opponent. Thank God that he is prepared and sees things that I am completely blind to at this point. It will all be revealed to me in time.
Lord, release me from the strongholds in my life and fill me with all that I need to be truly free.
I know God that You will answer me and tell me great and unsearchable things I do not know (Jer. 33:3)
posted by SBean at 9:03 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home