freedom

Monday, May 28th 2018: Memorial Day.

Why do we celebrate Memorial Day? Today isn’t just a day where we enjoy a Monday free from work, deck ourselves out in stars and stripes, see good friends at picnics, eat yummy BBQ and jam to some ‘merica music. Today is a day where we celebrate the men and the women who have paid a high price for our freedom; a freedom that we all take for granted at some point or another. People lose their lives every single day for the sake of freedom because it is one of life’s most valuable gifts.

All week I have been thinking about what it means to be free. Last week in church, pastor was preaching out of Galatians and although I was listening, I swear, my eyes were drawn to a different verse on the page. This verse held my attention for quite some time and even now, I can’t stop thinking about it.

In Galatians 5:13 Paul writes, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”

I was called to be free from the start. Jesus, perfect and sinless, gave up His life so that our shortcomings would never determine our eternity. I no longer have to pay the price for my screw ups because Jesus took care of that for me. Jesus gave up His life so I can enjoy mine. Bless.

The freedom is the fun part of Galatians 5:13, but after that it gets a little bit challenging. “But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh” AKA the selfish stuff. As I read that verse in church I immediately heard Paul’s mic drop. What am I doing with this freedom I was blessed with? Am I using it to satisfy my own needs or fulfill my own desires? Or am I using my freedom to better the world around me and to love others selflessly? “Serve one another humbly in love.” Serve. Humbly. Love. All things I struggle with when my eyes are only focused on myself. Lord, help me! It is because our military men and women used their freedom to selflessly serve our country, we are all blessed to wake up free citizens. It is because Jesus selflessly served to the point of giving up his life, we get to enjoy freedom from sin and death.

After being challenged by that verse, I was thankful. Over the past year, I have felt the freest I’ve ever been. I am out of school, finally not broke thanks to an amazing job, and totally free to enjoy life with my favorite people. I am thankful for all these freedoms. Then God called me to the World Race. He asked me if I would be willing to lay down some of the luxuries I’m currently enjoying for a period of time in order to use my freedom in another way. I am so thankful for the World Race because for 11 months, in one of the freest seasons of my life, I will be given so many opportunities to use my freedom to serve humbly in love. 

God, thank You for this country. Thank You for the men and women who have fought long and hard to give our country freedom. Thank You, for giving up everything so I can enjoy the freedom that comes from having a relationship with You. Help me to remember Galatians 5:13 as I prepare for the World Race. Bless everyone reading this blog to walk in freedom and use it to better the world around them. Amen!