Finding Freedom

When visiting a Middle School Home Group recently one of the many questions I was asked by students was what animal I would choose to be. It made me wonder about the feeling it would be to fly over mountains or swim deeply and freely through oceans. We all desire freedom. We were created for it! In a season of life where many of our routines have been interrupted we sense this more than ever.

We can search for freedom in many places but it can be like chasing the end of a rainbow. 2 Corinthians 3:17 tells us, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” Living in relationship with God certainly does not remove life’s challenges. We can even at times lose sight of the freedom we now have. John 8:36 reminds us:

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” In fact, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” Luke 12:25-31. I am reminded of Liz Bohannon’s words in her book ‘Beginner’s Pluck’, “No one is thinking about you as much as you think they are.”

“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.

I am encouraged to not put on worry as a yoke of slavery. But how do we do this? Simply being told ‘do not worry’ seems of little help. Does our freedom from worry come from ourselves? Is it simply the power of positive thinking or is our freedom founded in an unchanging, and sovereign Lord of all, who shares with us how to experience this freedom… “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10.

If you have not yet experienced this freedom I encourage you to speak with someone who has.

May God bless you and your family.

Jonathan Carpenter
Head of Middle School