What does “Freedom” mean? Our current situation in fighting the spread of Corona Virus certainly has called into question our “freedom”. With friends out of work, small business owners required to close their doors, and the freedom to gather in worship called into question, a lot of people are longing for “freedom” to do what they want again. I get it. I really get both sides. But I will shelter in place for a while even after they lift it. I am free to choose.
So what does “Freedom” mean?
Definition of freedom
1: the quality or state of being free: such as a: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action b: liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another : INDEPENDENCE c: the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous freedom from care d: unrestricted use gave him the freedom of their home e: EASE, FACILITY spoke the language with freedom f: the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken answered with freedom g: improper familiarity h: boldness of conception or execution 2a: a political right b: FRANCHISE, PRIVILEGE
“Freedom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freedom. Accessed 29 Apr. 2020.
When I think of Freedom, I definitely think of the political aspects and independence we are blessed with in the United States. What really stands out to me though is spiritual freedom. Do you know what that is? Do you know how incredibly valuable that is? I used to be “chained up”, a “slave” to depression and fear. I even thought everyone was better off without me. It always seemed that I was never enough. I tried so hard to do everything perfect but I could never accomplish it on my own. I was so tied up with trying to please the people around me instead of just focusing on pleasing God that I became lost in the lie that I was not enough. At the age of 23, I began to cry out to God for freedom from the depression and suicidal thoughts that had plagued me since I was six years old. I just simply asked HIM “Please help me God. I don’t want to feel this way anymore.” I know NOW that God had protected me as a child, as a youth, and as a young adult from actually going through with any of those thoughts. To be truly Free from those thoughts is so incredibly liberating! There is such an indescribable JOY that comes from Freedom in Christ Jesus! He answered my prayer. I had to pray that prayer over and over and learn to study HIS WORD. I had to learn to focus on how He sees me instead of how the world sees me. If you need Freedom from anything today, just talk to God. He hears you!
- 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV)Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
- Galatians 5:1 (NIV)It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
- Isaiah 61:1 (NIV)The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
I wanted to share the Lyrics to this song by We the Kingdom. Read through them and then listen to the song. I love it! Hope, Freedom, Redemption and Love!
Free, Amen by We the Kingdom
Amen, Amen, Amen
Amen, Amen, Amen
Hope falling down like rain
Love that I can’t explain
Peace that stills my soul
Light in the darkest place
Life even in the pain
It feels like coming home
Where the Spirit of the Lord is
There is freedom
I am free, Amen
Here, I’m alive again
Gone is the weight of sin
Oh, sweet liberty
Praise God
Who saved my life
I’m bought with the blood of Christ
I have been redeemed
Free at last
Free at last
Thank God almighty
I am free at last
All my chains
Are in the past
Thank God almighty
I am free at last
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