Day 14

Congratulations to me, congratulations to me, congratulations tooo meeee, congratulations to me! Well, I have made it 2 weeks without a drink or a smoke--one more week and I will have officially made it through the deemed 21 days in order to completely break a habit, or form one for that matter. I will have broken several bad habits and formed several good ones! And like I said before...If I can do it, anyone can do it!

Alright, let's dive right into my lesson for today from the Great Professor: freedom.

The dictionary describes freedom as: "Exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc.; the power to determine action without restraint; personal liberty, as opposed to bondage or slavery."

Freedom is a very meaningful word, and has different connotations to each individual. Some people may think of freedom from slavery, others freedom of speech, freedom of the press, economical freedom, religious freedom, etc.

There are numerous amounts of songs addressing freedom and the desire to be free. Several examples are "Redemption Song" Bob Marley, "Free" Stevie Wonder, "A Great Day for Freedom" Pink Floyd, "Freedom for my People," U2, and many more. Not to mention our country was founded on freedom and billions of people all over the world would give anything (many giving their lives) to be free.

That's freedom in an earthly sense. However, freedom in a heavenly sense is far more important, it is the answer, the key, the reason and purpose behind everything we know, and all that we don't know. The Bible says:

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians 3:17

"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." Galatians 5:1

"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." Galatians 5:13

Okay, here comes the meat:

True freedom can only be achieved through Jesus; only He can set us free. However, freedom cannot be forced, therefore all of the people I hear saying that God doesn't care and He isn't listening, he has forsaken and abandoned them, are missing it. It is up to us to choose freedom, and after we choose it, to walk in it. If He were to force it upon us then it would not be freedom. John 8:36 says "So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Many are taking that out of context, it doesn't mean immediately you are free from everything, that you won't struggle, and that all of your fleshy, sinful desires will go away. Freedom is a process, not instantaneous. It comes from having a daily relationship with Christ. The closer you get and the more you lean on Him, the more the hurt, pain, resentment, unforgiveness, etc. that resides within you will start to come out. It is a lifelong process, with many victories and revelations along the way, and in the end--ultimate freedom and leading the life we were created to from the very beginning.

This was so monumental for me. I lived in resentment and anger towards God for so long, blaming Him and angry that He wouldn't change me or make things easier. I knew He had the capabilities, after all, He is God, He can do anything He wants. I get it now, and I'm okay with it. What is something worth if it isn't earned? (I realize that Jesus paid the price for our freedom, and nothing we ever do can or will pay Him back. I'm not addressing earning salvation, rather freedom from addictions, bad thought lives, bad relationships, etc.) There is a much greater sense of accomplishment and significance when the freedom is payed for and not just handed over. I struggled with cigarettes and alcohol for a long time. Yes, God could have healed me instantly, but would I have realized how much I really needed Him? Would I have realized how true it is, that He is the way, the truth and the light? That on the other side, there is nothing but chaos and distress. Would I be able to help people like I can now because I truly understand what it is like for something to have control over your life, to try for years to let it go and fail time and time again? The answer is absolutely not.

He has blessed me with freedom in several areas of my life, although there's a lot more work to be done. I look forward to revelation knowledge in the future, to learning more about Him and myself, to test myself beyond what I think I'm capable of, and little by little getting rid of the bad and replacing it with good.

Through every lesson, I come to the same conclusion: God knows what He is doing and things are the way they are for a reason. I cannot limit God to what I can come up with, He is far greater than that.