Boundaries of Freedom
By Jen Wollner
“‘Everything is permissible for me’ – but not everything is beneficial.”
1 Corinthians 6:12
Last winter, while my son and I were taking ornaments off of our Christmas tree, a little yellow butterfly flew out of its branches! It was immediately attracted to the window and frantically tried to get outside. After doing some research online (and realizing it should have migrated south with its friends several months prior), we decided we would try to keep it alive until it was warm enough to let it go outside. I brought our old fish tank up from the basement and made a nice home for the butterfly, including homemade nectar for it to drink.
We were all very excited to care for our new “pet”! But, our butterfly wasn’t all too happy in its home. It just wasn’t at peace. Yes, it drank some of the nectar, but for the most part, it appeared to be looking for a way out. It didn’t like the confinement! While we all wished we could have let it fly freely, our house was not a safe place for it to have that freedom. We needed to keep it contained so we could protect and meet its needs.
This reminds me a little of the story of Adam and Eve. They had all they needed in the garden, yet they still entertained rebellion in their hearts. God didn’t set the parameters of the garden to hinder them, but to keep them safe…and give them freedom and an abundant life. We don’t know how long it took, but Adam and Eve eventually chose their own way and found out what life was like outside of the garden.
In order for us to have the kind of freedom and abundant life Jesus promises, we need to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and obediently set boundaries for ourselves. Unlike my family’s butterfly in the fish bowl, God has given us free will. We make many choices for ourselves everyday, but as Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:12, not everything we have the freedom to choose is beneficial for us. Christ came so that we could have victory over sin, yet there are times we yoke ourselves to it simply because we don’t want to say “no” to ourselves…even when we feel the prompting from God.
Following our own path doesn’t result in the freedom we think it will, but rather discontentment and unrest. We need Jesus…and the true satisfaction and peace only He can provide. Let’s welcome His freedom, even when it means limiting our own.
GOING DEEPER:
1. What area of your life are you resisting the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit, choosing instead to do life your own way?
FURTHER READING:
1 John 2:15-17; John 10:10
Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children between the ages of eight and five. She serves on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.
