American definition of Freedom: I can do whatever
I want whenever I want. I can buy whatever I want whenever I want. I can go
wherever I want whenever I want. I can think, say, and act however I want.
Anything that I accomplish or gain is by my own doing and efforts.
Synonyms: Right, Entitlement, Privilege, Prerogative, Space, License,
Free Rein
God’s definition of Freedom: I rely on God for my
daily provision. I rely on God for what he wants me to do, say, or think. I
rely on God for direction throughout my day. I rely on God to speak before I
act. Anything that I accomplish is
for God’s glory not my own gain.
Synonyms: Liberty, Deliverance, Release, Antonyms
of Captivity
_______________________________
I was talking on the
phone with my dad last night and he stated that he wish he was here with me
because it looks like Freedom.
& I have been contemplating what he meant.
Many people would look at my situation and think that does
not look like freedom:
- I cannot go wherever I like. I have no car
or way of transportation. - I cannot choose what or when I eat.
Someone else makes the food for me. - I cannot choose what to do with my day. I
have ministry scheduled mostly every day. - I do not know what the rest of my day will
look like. Ministry is sometimes sporadic and not always scheduled. - I live with 42 other people and sleep in a
tent.
I sleep on a sleeping pad on the
floor.
I do laundry by hand.
I have cold showers (I call it
Titanic Cold).
I share a bathroom with all these
people.
& I never can be completely
alone.
Our clothes line
A typical meal in Honduras
But I do have freedom from:
- A 9-5pm job.
- A full packed schedule where it is hard to
spend time with God. - Once a week ministry.
- Selfish concerns.
- The obligations to live out the American
Dream. - The obligations to live your life how
everyone else thinks you should. - The desires to have more nice things.
- The effort to look more Godly at church.
- The obligations to work to provide for the
things you want. - The obligations to provide for yourself
instead of relying on God to provide. - Excuses for not having time for God
- Worrying about money
I wake up and have the opportunity to spend an
hour or more in God’s word. I have
time to pray. I can worship with
my squad multiple times a day.
When I am doing ministry I am not thinking about what I have scheduled
afterwards or what I need to do. I
can focus on those that I am ministering to. I have time to pray right in the moment instead of saying,
“I will pray for you” and never get around to it. I can stop what I am doing to have a conversation with
someone about God because I have nowhere else to be. I can wait on God and spend time listening to Him. I do not have t.v., entertainment, or
social time to get in the way of spending time with God.
A special needs boy I was able to hold and love on.
One of the girls at the Government Girls Facility
I little girl I met. I braided her hair for her.
This is the freedom you have when
you choose every moment to live out the great commission. God desires us to be free. He desires us to everyday rely on Him. He desires us to know what it feels
like to be in His presence instead of do. He desires us to turn off the T.V.,
say no to our friends, and get alone with Him.
He desires us to see the
divine appointments he puts in our path everyday.
He desires for us to get out
of the mindset of “Me, Me, Me” and start focusing on Him. He desires for us to be His hands and
feet that will spend our day sharing the gospel instead of worrying about
money.
He desires for us to trust Him more, pray more,
love more, seek more, hunger more, serve more, wait more, rely on Him more, and
be with Him more.
He desires us to be completely free to live for
Him!
