Freedom and This Thing Called Human

We humans agree on at least one thing: Freedom is good! It is a God given right afforded to all his flawed flock. Freedom can mean we get to live, work, worship and play anywhere or way we choose. Freedom soars into our lives on the wings of good health and secure living spaces and blankets the fabric of our lives with options and opportunity. Freedom abounds whether we take hold of it or shun its myriad of benefits.

The 4th of July for many Americans is synonymous with freedom. For those who failed American History in elementary school, The Declaration of Independence was ratified by a meeting of delegates on July 4, 1776 and marks the point in history when Americans rebuked unwanted British rule laying out the framework for their lives. The document, as it is stated, is a declaration. It neither lays down laws nor holds a legal authority like the American Constitution. This primary expression of American freedom is an impactful assertion from the young Americans to the British Crown telling them their new country was not subject to British rule. This 4th of July, as I basked in the sun of a red, white and blue covered Florida sandbar, I got to thinking about my own freedom—both physical and spiritual.

The country of my modern era birth affords me the comfort to exist where, when and how I want—and outside of my parents rule of law as a child—I have known nothing less than unlimited opportunities. Declarations of freedom, though, are not always a good thing. In fact, too many times I declared that my will was greater than God’s will and I charged forward into the storms of my freedom. Had I been born in the half of the world that restricts women’s rights to vote, work, own property and choose their own mate, freedom might mean something as simple as a chance to select clothing based on my preference. But alas, here I sit writing an article because of my desire to be a writer! I chose my own career and husband, and soon, will move to another state because the one in which I live no longer suits my needs. Freedom for we Americans, paid for by the sacrifices of many brave and principled soldiers and servants, reverberates forth almost 250 years after some spunky new Americans claimed their independence.

Yet…despite my logistical and preferential flexibility, three years ago I acknowledged I was beyond miserable. I pleaded with God to reawaken my soul. He listened. Through tribulation and heartache over a two year period my soul went from dead and desperate to alive and joyful. The journey smacked me in the face with life and death challenges to the point where I surrendered my heart and my will over to God. I discovered a truth I am sure our forefathers understood: True freedom is release from a spiritual bondage that shackles us with a hardened spirit and an unending chase to satisfy our whims and will. 

When we are imprisoned, whether it be behind bars or within our very humanity, we can find a path away from our soul crushing man-made restraints. Nelson Mandela and the apostle Paul knew physical imprisonment and, like our forefathers and me, came to understand the meaning of true freedom. 

Nelson Mandela was jailed as an activist in South Africa and remained behind bars for 27 years. His inner spirit seemingly soared in captivity as he penned his famous Prison Letters of hope and optimism. He remained ‘free’ and hopeful during physical imprisonment. Paul set an example to Mandela in writing his prison epistles. “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. [Ephesians 6:19–20]." While certainly not suffering within the bondage of another human, my own struggle left me imprisoned within a body and spirit that lost hope, joy and well being. Most of my life involved pursuing the things the world deems important; satisfying my culinary desires, personal predilections and comfort.

All this comfort conflicts with the innate human requirement to tackle challenges. Our ancestors had little room for lazy as their mere survival hinged on the daily struggle to subsist.  Even the very act of staying warm required far more effort for early humans than our current ease in warming a room with the HVAC. Eating a meal was a day long pursuit for my great-great-great grandmother and took way more time than a spin through the drive through window for a quick meal. Our forefathers existence required discomfort. 

In his book The Comfort Crisis Michael Easter found that humans can shed anxiety and unhappiness by adding a measure of discomfort to their lives. In other words, doing hard things well brings joy. I was forced to do hard things when life handed me one curve ball after another and discovered the willful mobility I knew all my life left me an empty shell of a human. I hold no allusion the insights that brought me a stable yearning for God’s will over my own stand tall against the wisdom of the great Mandela and Paul but I offer three action items that I found bring lasting spiritual freedom. 

1. Step away from the noise of a busy world

and into the peace God offers through the bible and learned Godly mentors. I began spending an hour in the morning with God. The Bible App with Tara Leigh Cobble takes the learner through the entire bible in a year. The good news is she explains all the tough Old Testament messages that most stumble through on their own. Various points throughout the day find me on Youtube or The Messenger App listening to folks like Father Mike Schmitz or John Bevere. Stay in God’s word, pray throughout the day and remove yourself from worldly sources that separate you from God—like many streaming services or insane social media posts. 

2. Lean on a community of people

who love and care about your well being. For the first time in my life I opened up about my struggles in a book I wrote called Unconditional: How a Mother’s Love Rescued Her Rebellious Son. This book opened up conversations with people about a tough time in my life I chose to reveal to the public. Clinging to a protective shell of ‘strength' built over years fell away and I welcomed into my challenges the love of anyone who crossed my path. God is love and He requires US to love all his people.

3. Though I love the physical freedom to exercise my free will,

God says that His will brings true joy and freedom. Too much comfort and freedom immersed me a world of scrambling to please my human desires and into a separation from God. Peace with God I found is the only sustainable freedom bringing enduring joy and purpose to my life. This hum of peace may ebb and flow but through the constant presence of the Holy Spirit accessing strength and courage in tough times is always available.

We are free to “walk by the Spirit, and . . . not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16), since “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17).