Tag Archives: freedom

Real freedom

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Happy 4th of July. I hope that among the parades, barbecues, and fireworks you will take time to give thanks for the freedoms we enjoy. Remember also that freedom has two sides: the one side that we celebrate and enjoy and the other side that bears the scars brought on by the high cost with which our freedom was paid.

 

One “freedom” story that is as dramatic as it is unusual involves a young Vietnamese girl named Kim Phuc*. Recognize her name? I didn’t either. But if I showed you a photo taken when she was 9 years old, you’d likely recognize her at once. The iconic photo, taken by 21 year old AP photographer Nick Ut, captured a terrifying moment in time, as this young girl ran down the street naked, having torn off her clothes that had been set afire by the napalm bombing of her village in 1972. The image was so terrifying, it sent a shock wave around the world; some say it contributed to a quicker end of the war.

 

“I always remember that horrible day that we ran from life to death,” says Kim, now 52. She talks of hating the photo that captured her anguish and terror. That day left Kim with disfiguring scars and pain that continued far after the war had stopped. After numerous skin grafts and prolonged hospital stays, she finally recovered from her wounds. But the emotional pain of being associated with the famous photo continued to follow and embarrass her. You can imagine how she might have become angry and bitter.

 

Instead, something amazing happened. She found freedom from her bitterness and pain.

 

After studying scripture, she became a Christian at the age of 19. “When I became Christian, I had a wonderful relationship between me, and Jesus, and God.” And then another amazing thing happened:

 

“I learned to forgive.”

 

Thankful for her relationship with God and for her life, forgiveness allowed her to focus on what she had gained, not just what the photo took away from her. She had survived. She gained a new relationship with Jesus and a life mission to help others. Her personal choice to forgive became what she calls her “path to peace.” Today Kim Phuc works as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations and has started a charity to help children suffering from war. “That’s why I’m really thankful that I had that picture taken and I can work with that picture for peace.”

 

There was no freedom in war; only death and destruction. There was no freedom in recovery; only scars. But a personal relationship with Jesus brought new life and real freedom that came through forgiveness: God’s and hers.

 

As we give thanks for those who have paid the price for our freedoms, let’s remember there’s another war that was won our our behalf, the one that was settled at the foot of the cross.

 

Are you really free? Or does a painful past continue to scar your life? Real freedom is found in forgiveness. Running to freedom is our path to peace. Run to Jesus and find in him much more to be gained than what you have ever lost.

 

* You can get the book about Kim Phuc, The Girl in the Picture, here.

 

Every good and perfect gift

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Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17

 

Do you like to receive gifts? According to Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell, authors of The 5 Love Languages,  receiving gifts is one of the ways some people best express and receive love.

 

What comes to mind when you think of “the best gifts ever?” For some the answer might be jewelry. For others technological gadgets, new tools. It has been said that “the best things in life are free.” If you agree you might think of a quiet walk in the park, watching a beautiful sunset, spending time with someone you love, or watching a child in a moment of discovery.

 

Certainly, forgiveness and life itself would be included in your list of ‘best’ gifts. But how do we achieve these? Your world view will lead you to one of two conclusions: “best gifts” either result from our own efforts and deeds or they come as a gift of love from God. Sometimes we receive these gifts and sometimes it seems we are oblivious to them.

 

There is a fable of a man who died and went to heaven. Upon arrival he was given a welcome tour where he was shown many great mansions and wonders. Coming to one building with no windows, he asked to go in but was encouraged and his guide to not pay any attention to it. The man insisted on seeing it and once inside he discovered a huge trove of beautifully wrapped presents. Looking closer he saw that each one had a tag with his name on it. Asking why they were here, the man was told, “These are the blessings you were freely given in life, but never received; they are gifts you never opened and so never enjoyed.”

 

God describes His very best gifts in the love letter He wrote to us, the Bible. When we receive and open these we discover forgiveness, eternal life, love, peace, joy, and hope. We receive undeserved grace and mercy, compassion. We are filled with strength, wisdom, and courage. When we enjoy His gifts we are embodied with goodness, faith, perseverance, contentment, and the character of the living God. We don’t earn these by our own doing. They are free gifts from a loving God who knows the true desires of our heart and longs to graciously give them to us.

 

It’s true. The best things in life are free: good and perfect gifts from our Heavenly Father – love, life, laughter, friendship, forgiveness, freedom, and so much more. Receive and open the gifts He freely offers you today and every day. Live thankfully and share them with others and discover yet another great gift, the joy of living.

 

Every good and perfect gift is from above.  James 1:17

 

 

Freedom

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I wonder if you are old enough to remember your parents or grandparents talking about Decoration Day? It was the predecessor of Memorial Day, a day set aside to decorate the graves – and commemorate the lives – of those who  passed before us, most especially the fallen heroes who died defending our freedoms.

 

How often do you think about your freedoms?  Freedom of speech, freedom of worship,  freedom of press, freedom of assembly, freedom to petition government. All these are guaranteed under the first amendment of our constitution in the USA.  In some countries, these freedoms are not allowed and attempt to pursue them can result in severe and painful consequences, including imprisonment, torture, and death.  Even in the USA, these freedoms seem to be under constant attack.

 

There are also other freedoms that govern our lives:

  • The freedom to say NO to thoughts and habits that steal our joy and that of those around us.
  • The freedom to escape the imprisonment of self-effort and to become our best as God intended.
  • The freedom to accept and belief truth and say NO to lies.
  • The freedom to put others’ interests ahead of our own.
  • The freedom to forgive.
  • The freedom to not be controlled by circumstances.
  • The freedom to choose not only what is permissible but also beneficial.

 

But don’t we so often find ourselves in bondage when it comes to living out these freedoms? I mean we try and try in our own effort to realize these freedoms in our lives, only to find ourselves held back by chains that bind us. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians:3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” Why is that our only path? Because the Spirit of the Lord is our wisdom and our strength. He is our power to experience freedom in our lives and to bless others with that same freedom. 

 

This Memorial Day, let’s set aside time to reflect on the freedoms provided to us by those who have gone on before; those who have taught us to embrace them, those who have defended it with their lives. And let us choose to live free in our thoughts and actions.

 

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians:5:13).