Freedom in Christ – WordServe Water Cooler

“Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it” (George Bernard Shaw).

Buried beneath a mountain of paperwork? Paralyzed by some impending deadlines? Dreaming of a week on the beach?

I considered a “real job” until I read the job description: “Ability to work independently and multitask.”

I love to work independently. But I tend to hyperfocus most of the time. And I struggle with multitasking all of the time. So, I passed on that job opportunity.

I’m not so sure multitasking works well for my daughter Tara, either. She seems frustrated at times when I call as she prepares dinner—holding a screaming baby, listening to a whining preschooler, dealing with two squabbling little boys, and talking on the phone, all at the same time.

I can’t even concentrate on my writing projects at times with dishes in the sink or a hamper of dirty laundry waiting on me. And if the phone rings, I lose focus completely. Then, when I start worrying about all the details of my life, writer’s block paralyzes me.

Revelation. I woke up early one morning overwhelmed with my “to do” list. So, I decided to take an early morning walk at sunrise.

As I walked down the street toward the lake, the view of the sunrise surprised me. And I forgot about all of my worries as I soaked in the beauty of the dawn. I tried to capture the moment with my camera.

After pausing a few minutes to admire the view, I continued my walk. Most mornings, I enjoy listening to the sounds of nature as I walk the trails near my home. But since I took another route to the lake, I decided to listen to my favorite radio station.

Imagine my delight as I encountered the lyrics to “Light Up the Sky” by the Afters: “You light up the sky to show me that you are with me ….”.

In an interview with cbn.com, Matt Fuqua, vocalist/guitarist for the Afters, says, “The story behind Light Up the Sky is a part of the story of all of us … [It’s] a picture of what it looks like when you make it through [a] really challenging time, and you look back and see how God was using all of those things for good and that you were never alone.”

Reflection. God drew my attention to the majesty of His creation as I observed the heavenly canopy of the sunrise reflected on Lake Cortez, glowing through the trees near my home the next morning.

Did God light up the sky to show me that He was with me?

I couldn’t deny it. He opened my eyes, and I could see evidence of His Presence all around me.

How has God revealed Himself to you?

Photo/KarenJordan
YouTube/theaftersvideos (“Light Up the Sky” by The Afters)

All around the country this week, people are celebrating our country’s independence. Some are enjoying picnics on the beach with their blankets spread across the white sand, others are watching fireworks burst into a neon display over their local community center, and many are cooking burgers and dogs over a pit, the woodsy scent of hickory and charcoal permeating their back yards.

Despite our political views, we all enjoy the freedoms this country offers. As writers we can put pen to paper and say whatever we want because we have freedom of speech, as Christians we can worship in the church of our choice because our constitution gives us freedom of religion, and as citizens, we have the right to bear arms.

The freedoms we enjoy as Americans are indeed precious, but there is one far greater than we can ever imagine—the freedom Christ gave us when he died on the cross.

John 8:36 says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” By turning our lives over to Christ, we are free men and women. There are no political boundaries, it cannot be rescinded by human standards, and there is no cost. He has taken our sins away and lifted the burden of our actions from our shoulders.

2 Corinthians 3:17 says, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” God’s freedom is for the asking. We don’t have to walk into the crosshairs of the enemy and fight for it—Jesus did that for us. The Lord has paid our debt in full. We only have to step into the outstretched arms of our heavenly Father. And there, in his presence, we will find eternal peace.

Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” This is the best part of all. Once God has taken away our sins, He will never make us accountable for them—ever again. They are gone. Out of sight. He will never come back and remind us of all we’ve done in the past. We are free!
Freedom is a gift. You cannot see it, smell it or taste it. Yet, it is real and incredibly tangible. And it is the very essence of who we are as Americans, but more so—who we are as Christians.

God Bless America. God Bless you!