freedom
(i wrote this back in june and came across it, and thought it’d be worth posting here.)
Freedom: dependence, arduousness, fearlessness
I’ve learned some things. And I have written/blogged in awhile. But my brain is moving, so here it is. And because I like being challenged and hearing peoples’ thoughts, I’m sharing this with you. 
2 Cor 3:17 – “where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom”. Note that it DOESN’T say “where the spirit of the Lord is there is…
religion
morality
perfection
right and wrong
everyone toeing the line
condemnation
goodie two-shoes
republicans
democrats
but FREEDOM.
I choose to live in freedom and not fear. I don’t pretend to think that this will be easy, or that people will understand. But I don’t choose to live my life based on the expectations of people who live in fear of being struck down or losing their ticket into heaven. I choose to live my life in the freedom given me by Jesus’ life on this earth. I don’t pretend to think that this looks the same for every person. I don’t think that you have to believe what I believe to experience the freedom I experience. I believe we put God in a box way too often with what WE think he wants.
Do we REALLY understand what freedom is? That freedom can mean walking boldly in a gray area? That by definition it actually DOESN’T mean subscribing to a particular set of rules set up by a particular person or group of people (read: not Jesus)? I have never felt so imprisoned as I did when I walked in religion and rules and not in the freedom that Christ actually came to bring.
This past Sunday’s message was perhaps one of the most challenging and needed messages I’ve heard in a long time. If you’ve grown up in a church, or even if you haven’t, there’s a fresh, freeing thought process here. I’ve been realizing that I’m imprisoned by my fear of what other people think of me and the decisions I make or don’t make, especially if my viewpoints are different than theirs. I want to be free from that bondage. I’m VERY curious to see what life would be like on the other side of that!
John 10:10 says he came so that we can have life to the full.
I could write a lot more, but instead, I’m encouraging you to take 34 minutes of your life and watch this video. (I know, that means asking you to sacrifice a sitcom, but it’s worth it. ) When you finish (b/c if you don’t you’re missing a lot), I’m interested to hear your thoughts. Let’s have some good dialogue. What does freedom in Christ mean to you? (And I’m going to challenge you to say something more than the typical “good Christian” response. ) Perhaps one of you will help free someone else, or start them on a journey to a greater understanding of freedom.
http://www.crossroads.net/downloads/playVideo.php&idMedia=887
