A new reality about freedom has entered my mind and heart. I should say realization because the freedom or lack there of has existed always, but I finally connected the truth to the full (or close to full) appreciation of the word Freedom.
Often times this word brings forth images of slavery or Nelson Mandela or women covered from head to foot in a long black burqa. Sometimes I think about how the founding fathers fought with brains and brawns to provide a land of freedoms never before enjoyed by a people. Very rarely do I think of the freedoms of my body, mind or spirit being in question. It’s mine and no one has control over it, save for God.
So when I think of such personal, unique and intimate aspects of me being under lock and key, I scratch my head and ponder. What does that really mean? What does it mean to be trapped in a body that can’t move, grow or even exist as it once did? A body that is chained by disease, paralysis, or injury probably longs for wholeness, the freedom beyond the traps of physical obstacles of pain, lack of energy or simple movements. As I think back to my injuries incurred as an athlete, the loss of a complete, working structure affected all the rest of me: mind, spirit, and attitude. Part of the reason I remained active in theater was due to the fact that I thought a person with broken legs or a missing arm could still read lines, be funny and convey a story.
Those who can’t find freedom from haunting psychological ailments have my greatest respect. To lose the ability to communicate truthfully to yourself much less the rest of the world would leave me even more helpless if not hopeless.
And I do not envy those racked with the constant pressure of not knowing a deeper purpose and connection for one’s spirit. Sometimes I feel that disconnect, trapped in my own unworthiness, self-doubt, or even ostentatious pride. I cut off all ability to live freely as I was created to be.
Tonight, however, my ponderings went beyond my mere mortality to the reality that God in Jesus gave up his freedom for us. And not only in all that he sacrificed becoming human ie) being everywhere, knowing everything, being timeless, not having to deal with the senses to feel pain, joy, sorrow, hunger, and exhaustion. That was part of the freedom he lost coming from heaven, but he also lost the freedom to live burden-free. I believe God bears our burdens in a way, that is to say he can manifest in us and the creation the ability to bear those burdens and have strength through faith and trust in him. But when Jesus came, he took the burden literally. He lost his freedom to live in order to die so we could be free without anymore sacrifice. Of course, this freedom has eternal value, but Jesus had to live with that bound commitment everyday. Jesus didn’t have a choice once on earth. We do have that choice. To live everyday with the freedom he gave us because he’s taken away the obstacles. Body, mind and spirit are free regardless of our frail and fractured humanity.
Loss of freedom in our humanness is not to be discounted or neglected. These daily realities must be dealt with constantly and might never go away. I guess I’m encouraged and convicted tonight that such losses of freedom were fully experienced by God who loves us, cares for us, and does life with us. He’s not ignorant or simply a sympathizer. He knows completely and still calls us to live out of the freedom he gave no matter our physical, mental or spiritual status.
Philippians 2:1-11
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