Of course the natural place for my mind to go this week is “freedom.” Though most of us work with people every day, I spend a lot of time in focused conversation with individuals. Something I have noticed as I talk with others is that most of us aren’t really free. Oh, we live in a “free country.” We have been “set free” by God. But look at II Peter 2:19 in the New Living Translation: “For you are a slave to whatever controls you.” Paul knew what he was talking about when he wrote those words.
When I look at my life, when I sit in my office with others and hear them describe the ways in which they aren’t free, I have come to realize that this lack of freedom is causing a lot of unhappiness. Our beliefs and desires–which are often hidden even from ourselves–are keeping us enslaved in unhappiness. We have fears, anger, anxiety, stresses, and addictions; all of which keep us from experiencing the freedom which comes from surrendering our lives, every part of our lives, to God. John 8:36 sums it up nicely: “So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free.”
