Let True Freedom Ring

 Most little children find joy in pleasing their parents.  This probably begins with the reward of the smiling face of the loving parent whenever the infant does something that evokes joy.  The smiling parent then elicits a giggling response from the child.  The child and parent are in a perfect relationship with one another.  In fact, as a parent myself, even now the quarter-of-a century ago memories of such moments with my children fills my heart.

These moments are actually very freeing.  As children, we know we are doing something to please the person or persons whom we trust.  We are in a good relationship with the person who gives us what we need, including food, comfort and safety.  I am at peace with the person who will free me from the captivity of fear.

Of course, as we grow older, our understanding of freedom changes.  We become self-sufficient, or so we think, and we rely less on pleasing those in charge of us.  Think of the teenage and young adult who as they branch out from the family home perceive that happiness comes from the ability to do whatever they please.  The reality is that as we get used to the feel of freedom, we redefine it to fit our needs.  It is then that freedom loses its very essence.

While the Lord does expect us to pick up our crosses, for indeed sacrifice is at the heart of true discipleship, the life of sacrifice, pleasing to God, is not one that leads to misery.  True joy comes from choosing the good.  However, it is not meant purely to put a smile on God’s face. Choosing the good, despite the challenges, brings us true freedom and therefore true happiness.

This weekend, as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding, which is based on freedom, perhaps it is the right time to reflect on how freedom has evolved.  It is time to ask some reflective questions.  In two hundred and fifty years, has this been a place of freedom for all people?  Have we become a people who value the true freedom that allows us and prompts us to choose the good, particularly the good for the other person?  Have we stopped trying to please God and rather developed the idea that freedom only means I must protect my liberty to pursue whatever pleases me, despite the cost to others.

We have many reasons to celebrate this important milestone in our nation’s history.  It is however an important moment to think about where we are collectively in our relationship with God.  For we, who are Christians, must consider how much we have developed in our relationship with the Triune God who is love.  Is ours a selfless or a selfish society?  Do we aim to please our heavenly Father or do we see his call to sacrificial love as a yoke that is just too heavy?  Perhaps we need to become once again like the little ones.  They get this truth.

May God continue to bless these United States of America, not just with material prosperity, but with mercy and love.  A future of living that mercy and love will make us a nation that can change the world.

- The Servant