Skip to main content

What are we doing with our freedom?

As we prepare to celebrate our nation's independence, the thought hit me - What are we doing with our freedom?



Webster defines freedom as "the quality or state of being free." While they go on to give several examples, that is still a pretty broad definition. So how does it translate to our life today?

Freedom is often the state of being free 'to' or being free 'from.' You are either free to do what you want, where you want, or how you want. Or you are free from restraint and constraint in how you do things. In the United States, we enjoy many freedoms.

We have the freedom to pursue excellence, or enjoy average.

We have the freedom to pursue education, or enjoy our limited knowledge.

We have the freedom to pursue wealth, or enjoy what we already have.

We have the freedom to pursue & grow relationships, or enjoy their current state.

We have the freedom to pursue happiness, joy, and a better life for ourselves and those around us.

And we also have the freedom to either reap the benefits or suffer the consequences of the choices that we make. Freedom doesn't mean that any of us are guaranteed a "good life." It means that thanks to those who fought and sacrificed (and still are) for our freedom, that we are free from tyranny and free to pursue happiness in this nation.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2020 is Hindsight...Finally!

Wow, what a year! 2020 could literally be an entire decade, maybe more, of history, change, and lessons rolled up into these twelve months. While many aspects of 2020 were kind of sucky and we would like to forget them, it will certainly be a year to remember. And it will be enlightening when this year is looked back on in 10, 25, or 50 years to be discussed. I wonder if we'll seem like geniuses or idiots? Probably both to some extent! While there is so much that I could consider and analyze about this year, I'll try to break some of it down into four dimensions - Physical, Spiritual, Mental, and Social/Emotional. These are events and happenings from my world and perspective and I'm trying to be open in sharing and would love to hear from others on events you found most transforming. Physical When COVID cause gyms to close, that messed me up. Our town and state were late to be hit with severe cases and therefore later than many across the country to close up shop. I'm n...
Post a Comment
Read more

Worship > Fellowship

I believe that worship, true worship of God, is more important than fellowship with other believers.  Now I'm not saying that fellowship and relationships aren't important.  But I am saying that if I'm not worshiping God, if I'm not right with him, then my other relationships can't be right.  My fellowship and worship with him is more important than my relationship with my wife, my son, family, friends, my church, and my community.  Think about it.  How can I love my wife like Christ loved the church if I don't love Christ?  I wouldn't know how to love without knowing him.  Why should she submit to me if I'm not worth submitting to?  And yes I do believes wives should submit, but I also believe that won't be an issue as long as she's submitting to a godly husband.  (Ephesians 5:22-25) Our love for others must flow from our love and worship of God.  1 John 4:19-21 reads, "We love because he first loved us.  If anyone says,...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Power of Our Tongue

"How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness.  The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell." - James 3:6 When we think of fire, we may think of a small campfire to roast marshmallows, a wood stove fire that is contained, or possibly a raging inferno that is destroying a building or forest.  James here is comparing our tongue to a fire.  The sinful words that come out of our mouths have the power to destroy everything they touch, and like a fire can do so rapidly or slowly, but with dramatic effect either way.  We should also be mindful of our speech because even if it's not directly what we say, the permeating "smoke" from our speech can destroy the things around us as well.  Often times even when we are filled with good and honorable actions, our tongue can stain, or contaminate, our body throug...
Post a Comment
Read more