If you live according to my teaching you are truly my disciples;
then you will know the truth,
and the truth will set you free.
So if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.
John 8:31-31, 36
When I think of freedom I envision two types of joy. The first would be that little girl who continues to play within my memories. She loved running with her arms spread out like a bird, darting here and there, gleefully feeling joyous freedom. Her favorite "freedom run" was at the beach... soaring with the breeze kissing her face, playing with the tide's foam, squishing her toes into the warmth of the sand, and twirling before God almighty with joyous thanksgiving (conversing with her own thoughts and songs). The second type of joy happens when a parade passes by, when our anthem plays, when taps is reminding me of those who walked before me, and when those who deceive try to weave a falsehood about our country, family, friends, or coworkers.
As we are growing up, there are so many ages of experiences which are our "steppingstones to freedom" (Robin Jones Gunn). The best freedom moment is when you take that leap of faith and you ask Jesus to forgive you, to help you, to heal you, to love you... "You are set free from something and to something..." (RJG). His freedom is immediate, it is complete, it is freely given and abundant.
In Spoken For, Alyssa discusses the book of Hosea in which it is witnessed how Hosea's wife, as well as Israel and everyone of us experience God's freedom. Once free, we are joyful, hopeful, willing to shout and share our excitement and then we... little by little... begin to return... back to our old ways. Sometimes we become enslaved, held in bondage, and smothered by oppressive thoughts. Once enslaved, sin begins to raise up in fear, anger, resentment, and even hatred... justifying why it's all about what we deserve.
The amazing Grace of God is always right there... pursuing us in our mess. There's a nagging in your soul, listen to it and simply... re-gift yourself to Jesus' loving embrace...
You have been bought at a price! Do not enslave yourselves to men.
1 Corinthians 7:23
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