FREE

America celebrates 250 years of freedom this week.

I’ve noticed my definition of freedom has changed over time.

For a long time, freedom meant having as few boundaries as possible. Doing what I wanted, when I wanted, without anyone telling me otherwise.

That sounds appealing until you’ve lived long enough to watch where it leads.

I’ve realized that some of the most miserable people I’ve met had complete freedom to do whatever they pleased. They answered to no one, committed to very little, and followed every impulse that came along.

It looked like freedom from a distance, but up close it felt more like being lost.

I’ve had friends who believed they were free. They could do whatever they wanted. But over time it became clear they weren’t making the choices anymore. Alcohol was choosing. Addiction was choosing. Ambition was choosing. Success was choosing. They were so slowly bound that they never even realized they had stopped being free.

Somewhere along the way I stopped measuring freedom by how few obligations I had. I started measuring it by whether I was living the life I was created to live. I’ve never looked at freedom the same way since.

Jesus said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

I understand that verse much differently today.

The freedom He offers isn’t permission to do whatever we want. It’s freedom from anything that becomes our master. It’s the freedom to become the person God created us to be.

As we celebrate America’s birthday this week, I’m deeply grateful for the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.

But some of the most important freedoms can never be guaranteed by a government.

If there’s something in your life that’s become your master, don’t believe it has to stay that way.

There is a way out.

Jesus is still setting people free.

I know. I’m one of them.

If this encouraged you, share it with someone who might need it.

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