Here we are on the cusp of Independence Day, and I was thinking about what it means to be free. As a young man, I was prone to choosing the path of least resistance. This might have kept me out of trouble, but I was not truly free. This 4th of July I am thinking more about personal freedom than national liberty, and it is important to think about times when we come to experience true freedom of heart and soul.
My elementary school sponsored an annual trip for 4th and 5th graders to the Rock Eagle camp in Eatonton, Georgia. There was a nominal registration fee ($30 I think) and my parents’ stipulation was that if I was going to Rock Eagle I had to come up with half the money. If I did my chores and stocked away a percentage of my allowance, there would be no problem whatsoever in earning the necessary $15 by the registration deadline. But as the case with most free spending nine-year-olds, I became enamored with the latest toy or sweetest candy, thinking I would be able to make up the money spent with an extra chore or two. As the day of reckoning approached, I went to my piggy bank to get my share of the fee, but to my great surprise, there was only $10; considerably short of the $15 I needed. Then my diabolical mind began to turn. My younger brother had recently enjoyed a birthday and there was little chance, I thought, he would miss a measly $5. So I went into his bank, took the bill, and proudly presented my Mom my share of the registration fee.
Days and weeks went by and my brother never noticed his cash was missing until it was time to fork over the dough for this shiny new remote-controlled boat he wanted. He was $5 short, a conspicuous amount to be sure, since he was certain he had the money. My conscience caught up with me in a mighty way and I confessed my moment of weakness and indiscretion, hoping for leniency in my honesty, but my penalty was severe. First, my dishonesty forfeited me the opportunity to go to Rock Eagle while I stayed at home, grounded. Next, I had to tell my teachers why I had to stay behind. Then, I had to pay back the registration fee out of my allowance. Boy did I think this penalty was stiff because it caused me a financial setback as well as personal humiliation as I watched the bus pull off. One thing is for sure, however, I never stole again and my Mom and Dad instilled within me a deep appreciation for the truth.
In John 8:31-32, I am reminded of a word from the Lord as, Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” As I reflect over how that moment shaped me as an individual, I cannot help but think there are areas in all of our lives where we need to face the truth and allow ourselves the freedom that comes from living in a right relationship with God and our neighbor. Perhaps, we have been selling our partners short and not giving them the love they deserve. Perhaps we are guilty of stealing from ones we love or faceless folks in the community. Perhaps we have even cheated God and ourselves trying to get ahead at the expense of others. But if we hear the words of Jesus, then we know beyond the shadow of a doubt that there is no substitute for doing the right thing. And when we do, we can experience a great freedom for living…freedom from conscience, guilt, and shame.
So this Independence Day, might I impress upon you the importance of discovering a personal freedom by freeing yourself from the trapping of guilt and shame that comes from not living a life according to love, honesty, and a higher truth. So may you be blessed this Independence Day into living a life of true freedom and hope for a better life according to the wishes of God. Happy 4th of July and may you have a truly free Independence Day!
My elementary school sponsored an annual trip for 4th and 5th graders to the Rock Eagle camp in Eatonton, Georgia. There was a nominal registration fee ($30 I think) and my parents’ stipulation was that if I was going to Rock Eagle I had to come up with half the money. If I did my chores and stocked away a percentage of my allowance, there would be no problem whatsoever in earning the necessary $15 by the registration deadline. But as the case with most free spending nine-year-olds, I became enamored with the latest toy or sweetest candy, thinking I would be able to make up the money spent with an extra chore or two. As the day of reckoning approached, I went to my piggy bank to get my share of the fee, but to my great surprise, there was only $10; considerably short of the $15 I needed. Then my diabolical mind began to turn. My younger brother had recently enjoyed a birthday and there was little chance, I thought, he would miss a measly $5. So I went into his bank, took the bill, and proudly presented my Mom my share of the registration fee.
Days and weeks went by and my brother never noticed his cash was missing until it was time to fork over the dough for this shiny new remote-controlled boat he wanted. He was $5 short, a conspicuous amount to be sure, since he was certain he had the money. My conscience caught up with me in a mighty way and I confessed my moment of weakness and indiscretion, hoping for leniency in my honesty, but my penalty was severe. First, my dishonesty forfeited me the opportunity to go to Rock Eagle while I stayed at home, grounded. Next, I had to tell my teachers why I had to stay behind. Then, I had to pay back the registration fee out of my allowance. Boy did I think this penalty was stiff because it caused me a financial setback as well as personal humiliation as I watched the bus pull off. One thing is for sure, however, I never stole again and my Mom and Dad instilled within me a deep appreciation for the truth.
In John 8:31-32, I am reminded of a word from the Lord as, Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” As I reflect over how that moment shaped me as an individual, I cannot help but think there are areas in all of our lives where we need to face the truth and allow ourselves the freedom that comes from living in a right relationship with God and our neighbor. Perhaps, we have been selling our partners short and not giving them the love they deserve. Perhaps we are guilty of stealing from ones we love or faceless folks in the community. Perhaps we have even cheated God and ourselves trying to get ahead at the expense of others. But if we hear the words of Jesus, then we know beyond the shadow of a doubt that there is no substitute for doing the right thing. And when we do, we can experience a great freedom for living…freedom from conscience, guilt, and shame.
So this Independence Day, might I impress upon you the importance of discovering a personal freedom by freeing yourself from the trapping of guilt and shame that comes from not living a life according to love, honesty, and a higher truth. So may you be blessed this Independence Day into living a life of true freedom and hope for a better life according to the wishes of God. Happy 4th of July and may you have a truly free Independence Day!
1 comment:
All I can think of when I hear that scripture is "You want the truth? You can't handle the truth!"
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