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The Power of Freedom


...means that we get to choose. But what will we choose? When I think about my own decision making I can become, um, shy, when I consider how many of my decisions are self serving. How often do I seek to do the things that I think will make me happy. It makes me think of the scripture "To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue." Prov 16:1, or even better from the NLT: "We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer." 

 Does that mean that freedom is null and void? Do we really not have a choice, because the best choice is following what God says, whether we feel like it or not? Romans 6:17 (NLT): "Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you." The power of freedom becomes all the more powerful when you willfully choose the greater good. There is power in that. But I will show you a more excellent way (1 Cor 12:31).

 Turning the corner on the root of making a good choice enables us to relinquish our power, and turn it over servanthood. And we know that the greatest love is this: that you lay down your life for a friend (John 15:13). 

 Lord Jesus, I need hope this morning, hope that I will connect with You in a meaningful way. That I will receive Your call to me in friendship, and the power to give up what I cannot keep to gain what I cannot lose (Jim Elliot): Give up my hold on my life to gain a hold of Your Love! Thank You.

 In Jesus Name,

 Amen

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