Deep Freedom

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.