A Devotion for Freedom
July 4th is a day of many different meanings.
For some, it’s remembering family members and friends who’ve served our country in the military.
Maybe for others, it’s giving thanks for a country that provided welcome and opportunity when other places did not.
Maybe for others it’s laden with struggle to reconcile the hopes and possibility of a nation that is mired in division and dreams unfulfilled.
And for some, it’s simply celebrating family and togetherness as you crowd on watermelon-juice soaked blankets to watch fireworks explode across the sky.
For me, July 4th will always be connected to the birth of my son, Eli. On a July 4th some 8 years ago, I waddle-walked my pregnant self to see fireworks with a group of friends, most likely over-extending myself. Eli came into the world less than 48 hours later, 3 weeks early, bringing with him unspeakable joy and the sheer terror that comes with realizing you are now responsible for another human being.
For these reasons, Paul’s words are particularly moving for me. He writes to the community in Galatian church:
“For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.” (Galatians 5:13)
Freedom. Not freedom to do whatever we want. But freedom from being self-centered, freedom from thinking the world revolves around ourselves.
Freedom from the brokenness that enslaves us. Freedom from the things that weigh us down and distract and harm.
And not just freedom from but freedom to. The words “become slaves to one another” may sound intense, but what they connote is a life lived in service to one another.
The verse that comes right after this admonishment about freedom tells us more about that:
“For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5: 14).
The freedom we find in Christ is the freedom to love one another fully and completely. To be unrestrained from selfishness and pride and hatred and fear.
Free to love, free to serve, free to give my time and life so that others may know God’s grace.
Freedom in becoming a parent made me came in being yoked to someone who needed me – to give my time and life sacrificially and wholly.
What does freedom look life for you? What has God set you free from? What has God set you free to do?
As we celebrate this holiday, I pray that you understand how this recovery work you are committed to is an exercise in participating in God’s great freedom. As you walk alongside others in their journey to restoration and wholeness, you are reminding survivors of their worth, their value, their freedom found in a life oriented to Christ.
May you find blessing in your freedom, and hope in what God has set you free from and free to.
With you on the journey,
For me, July 4th will always be connected to the birth of my son, Eli. On a July 4th some 8 years ago, I waddle-walked my pregnant self to see fireworks with a group of friends, most likely over-extending myself. Eli came into the world less than 48 hours later, 3 weeks early, bringing with him unspeakable joy and the sheer terror that comes with realizing you are now responsible for another human being.
For these reasons, Paul’s words are particularly moving for me. He writes to the community in Galatian church:
“For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.” (Galatians 5:13)
Freedom. Not freedom to do whatever we want. But freedom from being self-centered, freedom from thinking the world revolves around ourselves.
Freedom from the brokenness that enslaves us. Freedom from the things that weigh us down and distract and harm.
And not just freedom from but freedom to. The words “become slaves to one another” may sound intense, but what they connote is a life lived in service to one another.
The verse that comes right after this admonishment about freedom tells us more about that:
“For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5: 14).
The freedom we find in Christ is the freedom to love one another fully and completely. To be unrestrained from selfishness and pride and hatred and fear.
Free to love, free to serve, free to give my time and life so that others may know God’s grace.
Freedom in becoming a parent made me came in being yoked to someone who needed me – to give my time and life sacrificially and wholly.
What does freedom look life for you? What has God set you free from? What has God set you free to do?
As we celebrate this holiday, I pray that you understand how this recovery work you are committed to is an exercise in participating in God’s great freedom. As you walk alongside others in their journey to restoration and wholeness, you are reminding survivors of their worth, their value, their freedom found in a life oriented to Christ.
May you find blessing in your freedom, and hope in what God has set you free from and free to.
With you on the journey,
Chaplain Amy
_____
A Call to Worship for Independence Day
A Call to Worship for Independence Day
by Nathan Decker
We came from all places and all peoples to gather here today.
Some of us traveled across the ice, others came later in boats,
still others of us waded rivers or arrived in planes.
We found a land blessed.
Blessed with mountains and valleys, rivers and oceans,
fertile earth, wonderful woods, and promising cities.
Here, A dream was born.
A dream of freedom from all oppression,
A dream of hope for our children,
A dream of people in community under God.
We have turned to nations and peoples who gave us birth:
Send us the voiceless.
Send us the fearful.
Send us the oppressed.
And so the dream continues…
And so the dream of America continues…
God, help us to do your work until your dreams come true…
Comments
Post a Comment