30 Days with God - Day 7

Freedom. 

This one word alone has left me with more questions than I could have ever imagined. Mainly, it's because I truly believe to the very core of my existence that God is the giver of freedom. From Day 1, when all of creation was set into motion until now, I believe He has maintained the fact that freedom was a great gift to us, and He always intended for us to have it EVEN IF we use it to our detriment. 

However, I've seen throughout most of my life much of the opposite taught and modeled in Christian/church settings. Most of those places have been filled with rules and regulations ('standards" as they might be called). Some that are very extreme, and many that have been used to control and manipulate leaving great devastation in the lives of good people. 

This is where people often hear what I'm not saying, so let me clarify: I'm not saying that some guidelines aren't necessary for organized institutions to run smoothly and with integrity. 

That being said, what I have often experienced goes much farther beyond the institution. Most of what I've experienced carried over into the individual's personal and family life. These "standards" as they were often called weren't merely just to help the organization flourish for good. They were expectations of how each person within said organization should live, and if you didn't live up to those expectations, you were punished, made an example of, humiliated (either publicly or privately/passively) or worse ... ostracized - maybe from the entire organization or maybe just from select segments. 

Many of my questions throughout life have come from the fact that I couldn't reconcile freedom with a lifestyle like I just described. 

My questions often got me "in trouble" in those places. Surely, I was just a rebel who didn't want to obey, right? I just wanted my own way because you know, "the heart is deceitful ..." so of course, I didn't really know what I was asking. But ... is that really what that scripture means? I don't want to turn this into a big debate and I'm no scholar, so I'll just leave my quick opinion and move on. I believe, when one is in a state of being where that person chooses not to tap into the Source of all life, that might be true, but for those who are seeking God in all His goodness? I believe their heart is both desiring and seeking to do what's good and best for their lives, even if they sometimes make unwise choices. 

Despite all the years of living in that culture (and yes, I fully realize I CHOSE to remain there for many years as an adult - even if that reason was simply "afraid to leave") and despite the fact that I was left emotionally battered, I am eternally grateful that I eventually found some of those answers I was seeking. Mostly, I am glad I finally found FREEDOM. 

If any of this resonates with you and you may be wondering if you're in an unhealthy environment somewhere, let me share something that a friend shared with me awhile back. I'm not sure where it originated, and I've added my own tweaks to it, but hopefully it is helpful. 

If you are not able to tell the truth to ...

Your spouse

Your friend

Your classmates

Your boss

Your neighbors

Your church

Your co-workers

Any authority figure

If you cannot ask questions and be treated with seriousness, dignity, and respect ... 

You are not FREE. 

Seek freedom, my friend. Stay tapped in to the One who gave it to you. Do not trade your freedom for a life of oppression. 

With all that you have and at all costs, SEEK FREEDOM.