Freedom
By Elizabeth Cole
Therefore, there is
now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through
Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from
the law of sin and death.
Romans
8:1-2 (NIV)
I
was playing freeze tag with some girlfriends a couple of months ago. Can you
see it? Grown women of various ages (and stamina) racing and loudly shouting in
Dickten Park. Dodging “it” as she approached to freeze. Seeking just the right
moment to zigzag over to the frozen friend, releasing her with a touch for
movement again. Finding breath and energy sapped to the point whereby “it” had
no problem catching and freezing. Hoping against hope that someone somewhere still
had enough air left to rush in and free us.
I
was startled at how exhilarating it was to be “unfrozen,” able to run again
freely. I was also surprised at the feeling of helplessness when frozen, unable
to do anything to release myself.
As
we live in this Advent season, there is an undercurrent of freedom, isn’t
there? The Christmas carol “Come, Thou
Long-Expected Jesus” begins with these words:
Come, Thou
long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy
people free;
From our fears and
sins release us,
Let us find our rest
in Thee.
The
Savior born in the manger was about our freedom. Freedom to be in relationship
with Him. Released from the paralyzing “frozen-ness” that comes from the weight
of guilt and fear and shame and secrets and sin. Set free to live life as He
intended it.
Oh
my… it’ll take your breath away as surely as if you’d run the whole of Dickten
Park, when you consider the kind of exhilarating love that stoops to a stable
to set you free.
Shout
it out, beloved, you’re free!
GOING
DEEPER:
1.
Take a moment today to step away from holiday planning and breathe in deeply
the fact that you are set free. Articulate the difference it makes in your
life…today. Reflect on the words in “Come, Thou Long-Expected
Jesus.”
2.
If you are living as if you are still “frozen,” what steps could you take today
to live in the freedom Jesus gives?
FURTHER
READING:
Elizabeth is a wife
and mother of three grown daughters. She is the Director of Connecting at
Oakwood Church.
