God's Freedom

The LORD gives sight to the blind.

The LORD raises up those who are bowed down; 

The LORD loves the just. 

The LORD protects strangers. Ps 146

Freedom is the most precious gift of the sons and daughters of God, but because most of us have experienced political freedom in North America, we rarely appreciate fully the freedom God gives us.  Only when we have been trapped inside a foreign country or considered as less than human as the Jews of old were in Egypt and Babylon, can we begin to understand the precious gift of freedom that God gives us, not only in our national lives as citizens of a democracy, but spiritually.

When God sets God's people free it is not a license to do anything we like, but a privilege that we have to live and celebrate with joy.  The freedom of the sons and daughter of God  is rooted in God's promise always to be our ground, our heart, a mother who holds us in the palm of her hand and a father who, like a shepherd, watches over us at every turn. Because God claims us as God's own we are free from fear.  God's love is everlasting and can never be taken from us.

At the same time, most people are afraid of true, spiritual  freedom.  It is easier to ask what the rules are in any society or church and follow them than it is to use our imaginations to craft a life with God that announces good news with every step we take.  Authentic freedom is the gift of knowing that God is not so much worried about our mistakes as God wants us to spend our freedom as disciples to help create a world of justice for all.

Today, acccept God's freedom as a gift and treasure it.

How do you understand the freedom Jesus promises?