Freedom isn’t...

The way this statement has been finished usually goes like this: Freedom isn’t free. It’s true, what maybe free to me or free to you, cost someone something. That free lunch came from somewhere. Someone paid the price for that lunch.

Yesterday, as Americans we celebrated the 243rd birthday of America and our freedom. Indeed, that freedom wasn’t free. Many men and women have given their lives, the ultimate price for what we call our freedoms today.

Another way to finish this statement might surprise you. Freedom isn’t without limitations. It sounds like a contradiction. Doesn’t freedom mean no limits, no restrictions? Not necessarily. What does that mean? Many misunderstand what freedom is. They think freedom is: I get to do whatever I want, whenever I want, with whomever I want. 

When America won their independence from England what did that freedom mean, free from what? We were free from taxation without representation. We were free to pursue life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  However, we are not free to pursue these things when what I am doing hinders someone else’s freedom to pursue. Real freedom has to involve limitations.

FREEDOM WITHOUT LIMITATIONS will result in confusion and will eventually lead to a lot of pain. When I turned 16, I couldn’t wait to have the freedom to drive. But with that freedom came restrictions. I was free to drive as long as I followed the limits. I was free to drive until I looked in my rear view mirror and saw flashing red lights. Once I realized the speed limit was not a suggestion and the pain of parting with $89, the whole idea of freedom having limits started to sink in.

As humans we crave freedom, but because we are human, we have limits. Natural limits. I may want to fly. I am free to fly but I can flap my arms and run fast, but my human limitations won’t allow me to fly. We are created to be free but with limitations. 

There is a freedom that is offered by Jesus. He said we can know the truth and it will set us free. Free from what: sin, despair, loneliness, anxiety, hopelessness, and aimless wondering about our purpose. This freedom isn’t free. It came with at a tremendous price: the death of Jesus. And this freedom, like any freedom comes with limits. The limits of understanding that the One who created me, knows how best for me to live. Some would say: that’s not freedom. But living within God’s limits of freedom is what brings meaning and purpose to life. It also allows you to experience life that way God intended. I don’t know about you, but I want to experience life fully the way God had in mind.

So, how would you finish this statement: freedom is....

Take Care,

 Marty

Yesterday

Yesterday I saw death. I saw a lifeless shell of a man lying still, ashen, and breathless. What lay in the bed was a reminder of what will eventually happen to all of us, to me. I will lay in a similar state.

The man who occupied the body in that bed is now enjoying life like never before. He had come to faith in Jesus late in life. I had the privilege of baptizing him and watching his love for

Jesus and His church grow like crazy. 

The summers after he retired wasn't spent traveling, sitting around, or playing golf. He loved to fish, but that paled in comparison to what occupied his time. He spent countless hours serving: at a local food bank and at church. First. as a setup coordinator, making sure tables and chairs were set up for groups, classes, meetings, and celebrations. Then, as the weather turned

warmer he moved outside to pick up trash and man the weed eater.

Why did a man who now had time to do whatever he wanted to do, chose to do such things? His new found faith gave him a new found purpose and resolve. He wanted to do whatever he

could so others could know Jesus like he did.

Yesterday I saw death, but what I saw was temporary, defeated! Now, the man who once occupied the lifeless body, is enjoying what we do not see...eternal life filled with incredible joy, purpose, and love.

Yesterday I saw death but I know that today Jack sees LIFE.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:18