It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
What comes to mind when you hear the word, “freedom”?
Back in the day, I had a mutt named “Bandit.” Bandit was my buddy. I was an eleven-year-old kid with high energy. Bandit and I were a good fit. While I was in school, Bandit would wait inside a fence until I came home. When the school bus turned the bend, I could see Bandit running full speed across the lawn toward the gate.
Then, once he arrived at the gate, Bandit would run back and forth across the fence, jumping, barking, whimpering, turning, and jumping some more. His black fur with white spots would become a cacophony of spirals as he danced about.
I would approach the fence calling his name. “Hey, Bandit! How are you, buddy! Ready to play?” Oh, man. He would be going nuts. Jumping, bounding, and barking.
Then, I would open the gate.
One quick jump on me, then away he would go. He would sprint around the yard, around the house, around me, around everywhere. Bandit was free, unhindered, unyoked, light, vivacious, bounding, excited, focused, energetic, and exuberant.
When was the last time you felt like that?
Over the next few blogs, I plan to unpack a path to freedom using my own story. I will use milestones that God placed in my life to reveal His pursuit and my responsibility over the years.
To begin, the greatest freedom we can have is eternal freedom in Christ Jesus our Lord. His life, burial, death, and resurrection have sealed our eternity for those who have put their faith, hope, and trust in Him. There is no greater decision for our lives. The freedom experienced is immediate and everlasting.
Then, there are day-to-day freedoms that we can enjoy. The problem is that we are locked in a fence. If I’m honest, most fences were of my creation. There was no bounding exuberance day after day. There was only slavery, loneliness, hopelessness, fatigue, shame, sadness, guilt, anxiety, depression, and stress. Coping was temporary and only reinforced the boundary of darkness that surrounded me. Can you relate?
This is why this topic is so important to me. I want to help others experience the freedom I have experienced. I am still on a journey. I have not arrived. I must make choices daily, like you, to pursue the freedom that Jesus Christ has already given me.
At some points, it is easy to pursue freedom. In others, it is difficult. For instance, seeing myself as valuable, trying harder in life, losing weight, seeking professional emotional help, enduring criticism, persevering when Charity and I felt alone, and taking a leap (or two) of faith.
God has ordained His path for our lives. It is not always clear. It is seldom comfortable or easy. But, it is so worth it!
God is coming around the bend. You can see Him coming. He is running to the fence to meet you! “Hello, Mike! How are you buddy! Are you ready to play?” Then, He opens the gate.
