Elemental: S2 - Day 20

“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

One of the complaints I occasionally hear about God is that He is fixated on rules, do’s and don’ts. Some will say, “Religion and God are an entrapping construct. If you follow God, you’ll be asked to relinquish your freedom.”

In my younger days, I thought it might be interesting to cross the boundaries of God’s expectations of me. That would be freedom to do as I please. I wasn’t considering that it requires the same freedom to decide to follow the advice of someone who refuses to force me onto His path.

Suppose you’ve never seen a handgun before, and one day a friend takes you to a range and responsibly allows you to practice with theirs. They might tell you it must always be pointed down range and assume it’s loaded, that kind of thing (I’m out of my depth here, so bear with me). Surely, they would tell you how to stay safe while handling their firearm. But suppose you decided they didn’t know what they were talking about, that they were messing with you or trying to exert control over you. Imagine you decided to see what would happen if you aimed it at your body and pulled the trigger. Because you’re free. Their constructs, rules, boundaries, and bondage don’t trap you. You are free to experience it for yourself and create your own rules, though that freedom could be very short-lived.

So here we are, free to follow and free to create our own path, even if it kills us. You may not have noticed how the Ten Commandments start in the 20th chapter of Exodus: 

And God spoke all these words: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” (v1-2)

Is it possible that everything God does is bathed in His concern for our freedom? How He allows our choices and teaches us to pull the trigger of free will safely? The more I consider, the more convinced I am that freedom is a core ingredient of my faith journey. Jesus is all about freedom. The intensity of my pursuit of God is an exercise in freedom.

It feels good to say that I am no longer a slave. I am free.

1. What current obligation makes you feel most trapped?
2. What is something you used to avoid that you now love doing?
3. What is something difficult that you feel God would like you to do? Not do?