FRIDAY, JULY 2ND - LOVE WINS

 FRIDAY, JULY 2ND - LOVE WINS

This week I’ve written about American History - and especially the Declaration of Independence.  

On Friday, I tend to write with a more spiritual viewpoint.

So, today, Galatians 5:1 “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.”

There have been millions of things written about faith over the years.  I say I write in the “Judeo-Christian” arena.  

What is freedom?  An online definition says “the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. "we do have some freedom of choice"; the absence of subjection to foreign domination or despotic government; and the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved.

There are (thank goodness) some constraints (restraints) on ‘freedom’.  Yelling “FIRE” when there isn’t a fire, in a crowded theater might cause a chaotic scene.  My freedom to act ends an inch from your nose if I am throwing a punch.  Can I entertain thoughts of anarchy?  Can I go into a school and shoot any and every one - because I am free?  

To me, “Freedom” starts as a mental concept.  Viktor Frankl was in a concentration camp, but he was “free” mentally.  Or, we can move around freely, and mentally be in a prison, constrained by hatred and doubt.  

Free as a bird - free to soar - free to think and believe (within societal reason).  

Freedom came hard for some former slaves in the United States.  Yes, they were free - but without jobs, houses, food, livelihood.  Some went back to the plantations as “workers” because freedom was too much for them.

The last part of that verse (Galatians 5:1) says “Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

It can be easy to go back into slavery - to go back to the thing you know.  

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind - let freedom bring you to new hopes, to new ways of sharing love, to new ways of living mentally - and physically.  

If love is to win, we must be free of oppression, free to be who we are.  There are deep divides in our nation, let us love one another!!!

LOVE WINS!!

Karen