 Photo credit: Hugo Huysmans via Flickr Today we Americans celebrate the anniversary of our declared freedom from the rule of the king of England to rule ourselves.
We often think of freedom as being free TO do what we want, when we want, where we want and with whom. That is valid, but there are deeper levels of freedom to be gained than from the rule of another, from taxes, from oppression. Deeper freedom--true freedom--is freedom FROM. Think of it this way: You have been held in a prison cell. Someone got the key, unlocked the door, swung it open, and said you were free to go. As you step out of the prison, the entirety of the world is before you. You are free to go and be and do whatever you desire. But what got you into prison in the first place? Has anything changed inside you while you were there? What you take with you from the cell is much more important than the cell itself. It doesn’t matter where you are—in the cell, outside the prison, or a thousand miles away—what you need is freedom FROM. Let’s say you went to prison for stealing. Maybe it was shoplifting from a convenience store. Maybe embezzling from your employer. You went to prison, served your time, and are free to leave. However, the beliefs that led to you shoplifting or embezzling in the first place are still inside you. What beliefs could have caused the stealing? It could be a scarcity mentality, a passive aggressive expression of insecurity or resentment, or entitlement. Those beliefs aren’t changed when a cell door swings open and you cross the threshold. Freedom From only comes by examining your beliefs, separating the lies from the truth, and admitting you’re imprisoned by the lies. The next steps include learning the truth, then implanting it in your mind and heart so many times that the lies are crowded out and finally disintegrate. Lies keep you in prison, but the truth sets you free. What lies do you believe that are keeping you from Freedom From? Could it be scarcity, resentment, entitlement as already mentioned? Could it be unforgiveness, people pleasing, fear, or shame? What lies are keeping your relationships imprisoned? Your workplace? Your community? We have the world we have today because we as individuals, groups, communities, and nations are free To, but not free From. It’s time to begin to heal that with Truth.
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 Photo credit: Pixabay “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Philippians 4:11,12) Those words were written by a man named Paul who was imprisoned in Rome—living in a house but not allowed to leave, chained to a guard 24/7. Content whatever the circumstances? How is that even a category? What was his secret? “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13) Imprisoned but free. Think about that. Paul was a man. A regular guy. If contentment and freedom like that were available to him, it’s available to us. I believe it’s not only through Christ’s Spirit that Paul was able to be free, but by Christ’s example. Who lived a life with more freedom than Jesus? He didn’t care what people thought of him, didn’t compare himself to anyone, wasn’t distracted by the massive number of people who came to him for healing, owned nothing and felt no need to. He took time off to rest even though he only had three years to train twelve guys to change the world. He succumbed to no pressure, and couldn’t be bought. No one could hold anything over him because he was free from everything that would trip the rest of us up. He focused only on the things that really mattered—his identity as the beloved son and being led by the Spirit, never taking his eyes off his mission. If you were free from, what would you be free to? You would be free to be the strongest, boldest, gentlest, kindest, most loving, present in the moment, most fearless, focused, truest version of yourself. Free to live with fearless liberty, free to pursue a life few ever find. Thank you for reading, sharing, and commenting. If you’d like to receive these posts and updates in your inbox, please head to the Contact Page to subscribe.
 Photo Credit: Pixabay What if you could live your life and not care what anyone thinks? What if you weren’t distracted and discouraged by the drama, fear-mongering, societal pressure, and financial burdens that are so much a part of our lives? What if there wasn’t anything anyone could do that could ruin your mood or your day? If you could live your life this way, that would be freedom. Freedom is not “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” You may know your inalienable rights but the rights to truly being free may be alien to you. It’s not defined by external circumstances. Freedom is an internal condition. It’s not only freedom to, as in, do whatever you want, wherever, whenever, and however. It’s also freedom from. Freedom from is deeper and more powerful. It’s something no one can take from you. Not until you are free from can you be free to. Let’s say you win millions and millions of dollars in the lottery. Your first thought might be, “WHOO-HOO! I can quit my awful job, and have and do all the things I’ve always wanted to!” It’s true, you do have the financial freedom now to make those kinds of choices. But then, you have friends and family expecting you to cough up money for them and the government expecting you to fill their coffers. Your employer and co-workers expect your resignation, and society expects you to be resigned to volunteer for everything because they think Louie Armstrong is running “all the time in the world” in your head on a loop. Expectations. Responsibilities, real or imagined. Societal pressure. What if you lose it all? What if you lose your friends? What about maintaining, storing and insuring all the stuff you buy? You may end up more imprisoned in your life than you were before you won the lottery. But if you also have the ability to say “no” to all those requests, you would be freer. If you have the capacity to shut out the “shoulds” from your friends and family, that would be freeing. If you could take that great trip you always wanted to and not be distracted by what everyone thinks about you, what you might be missing or fearing that it could all be gone tomorrow, then you could be freer. Freedom is a state of mind. Come with me and we’ll find the road to that state. Thank you for reading, sharing, and commenting. If you’d like to receive these posts and updates in your inbox, please head to the Contact Page to subscribe.
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Applying nature's principles and systems to personal and cultural development.About CommentsI love to read comments and know how my work is helping you. Please respond with your first AND last names. Anonymous comments will not be read and may be deleted.
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