Freedom

The truth will set you free. (John 8:32) 

Shin Dong-hyuk was a prisoner in a North Korean prison camp for twenty-three years before he escaped. But for most of that time, he thought that his life was normal. You see, he was born there. “I just thought that those people who carry guns were born to carry guns,” he said. It took him so long to entertain the thought of escaping because he thought that everyone lived in a camp like his. During his incarceration, if you had asked him the meaning of the word “freedom,” he wouldn’t have known how to answer.

You can hear similarities to Shin’s story in what some Jewish leaders say to Jesus in today’s Gospel: “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone” (John 8:33). Jesus is trying to tell them that they really are slaves—to sin. But they can’t understand what he means. They are observing the Law to the best of their ability; what could possibly be wrong with that? Nothing at all. But Jesus wanted to give them something more.

Jesus wanted his listeners to remain free to obey the Law, but he also wanted them to know the freedom of the Holy Spirit. He wanted them to be free to hear the Spirit speak words of wisdom, love, and guidance; to be freed from self-centered concerns and anxieties; to be free to do the very things that Jesus was doing. In other words, he wanted to give them a freedom based on the power of God living and active in their lives.

As Easter draws near, consider what freedom looks like for you. You may find that, like Shin Dong-hyuk, you have been imprisoned for quite a while without even knowing it. God wants to give you the freedom to become the person you want to be—more patient, more considerate, and more open to the Holy Spirit. He wants to set you free from long-standing resentments and hurts. And he does this so that you can go out and build the kingdom of God with confidence and grace.

Let these truths settle deep into your heart. Then step into the freedom God has prepared for you this Lent.

“Lord, send me your light and your grace—the light to see where I need to change and the grace to make those changes.”

from wau.org

The air of freedom

The truth will set you free. (John 8:32)

Victor Hugo’s novel Les Miserables presents us with two very different characters, Jean Valjean and Inspector Javert. Valjean, who has spent nineteen years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread, is hunted throughout the story by Javert, who is committed to following “the letter of the law.” But when Javert is captured by revolutionaries who tell Valjean to kill him, Valjean frees him instead. Javert’s world is turned upside down by the thought that a criminal like Valjean could act with such mercy. It is so upsetting to the inspector that he ends up killing himself. Clearly, Valjean experienced the greater amount of freedom, even though he lived constantly on the run. 

We might think of the Pharisees in today’s Gospel as somewhat like Inspector Javert. They are focusing only on following the Law of Moses, and that narrow focus has bound them up. They are missing the Holy Spirit’s voice and presence, which are at the heart of the Law. But Jesus wants them to know the freedom that comes from following him—the freedom that comes from being in a relationship with him.

We might think that we are not like these Pharisees at all. We know and love Jesus, after all. Still, we can point to areas in our lives where we could be freer, whether it is a long-standing pattern of sin or hurtful memories that keep us bound in fear or resentment. 

Let this Lent be a time of freedom! Take your sins to Confession, and ask the Lord to loosen their hold over you.

 

from wau.org

Freedom and Peace

They made idols for themselves. (Hosea 8:4)

Ornately carved dragons, stoic Buddhas, calves, bulls, even human forms with animal heads—the ancient world offered an extraordinary variety of idols. Today, we’re more likely to treat athletes, rock stars, or luxury cars as idols. But in the end, an idol is anything that we allow to influence our thoughts, emotions, and actions more than it should. Perhaps the Pharisees who opposed Jesus idolized their own narrow observance of Judaism. So when Jesus came neither looking nor acting as they thought he should, they plotted against him.

Here’s the thing about idols: they’re tricky. They can have great sway over us, yet not appear as idols at all! But if something erodes your peace, causes your heart to tremble, or drives rational thoughts from your head, there’s probably some kind of idolatry behind it. 

That’s not to say that we’re all idolaters who willingly and greedily bow down to the modern world’s false gods. It’s hard to find someone who “worships” money or someone who is truly “obsessed” with gaining power. Still, if the everyday ups and downs of the stock market send you into a panic or if the slightest tickle in your throat brings on visions of a fatal illness, then something has a greater hold on you than it should. 

It doesn’t have to be this way! Nothing has to rob you of your peace or your trust in the Lord. If you can get into the habit of guarding and examining your thoughts during the day, you’ll find yourself more peaceful. Just try to be aware of the thoughts that grip your imagination, and see where they lead you. Don’t engage in a witch hunt; just take a look at what goes on inside of you. If the thoughts are making you more agitated or more self-focused, try to redirect them. 

For example, tell yourself, “God holds my life in his hand, and nothing can snatch me away.” Or “God is a God of hope; I know he can satisfy the longings of my heart.” Where you find fear or gridlock in your heart, take it to your heavenly Father. Remember that he sent his Son to give you freedom and peace!

“Jesus, you are the one true God! Teach me how to find my hope in you. Lord, I want to know the peace that comes from surrendering to you.”

from wau.org

Freedom

At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus proclaimed, “The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Later, in keeping with his opening message, he sent his apostles out to preach the same message of repentance to make way for the kingdom.

But the apostles didn’t preach in the mode of a street-corner evangelist threatening hellfire. Rather, they delivered the same good news that Jesus had preached: God loves you. He wants to heal you and give you peace. He is near, holding out freedom to all who turn to him.

This is the heart of repentance. God’s love brims over with a desire to liberate us from our “demons,” restore our spirits, and renew our minds. He has no interest in piling on guilt or fear or shame—not even to force us to repent. Rather, he wants to tell us that because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can live in freedom.

So many voices tell us that we have no right to live in freedom as children of God. They tell us that our sins and failings have disqualified us. They tell us that God doesn’t love us enough or that he does little more than tolerate us. At the very least, we should stay meek and timid and expect only the smallest crumbs of his attention. Those voices lie! Jesus went so far as to die so that we could be set free. He gave his life so that we could enter his kingdom.

So approach the throne of grace boldly. Open your heart, and accept everything Jesus has won for you. If it seems hard or vague or perplexing, try this. Sit quietly, and tell God one thing that keeps you from him: one habitual sin, one weakness, or one fear that you think bars your access to him. Offer to trade that one thing for a taste of his love. Then wait for the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Perhaps he will tell you he loves you. Perhaps he will show you that God is not ashamed of you. Maybe he will offer you his truth in place of a lie. Whatever happens, know that the Father is with you, ready to forgive and heal and free.

“Father, I want to live in freedom, so I come to you today repenting and seeking more of your love.”

taken from wau.org