What is freedom?
How often do we take that word for granted or think we somehow deserve it?
On the race, the term 'self-governance' is used quite often.
Usually it's used in discussion about whether one can/should do something or another.
Usually, it's a scapegoat.
"We believe in self-goverance, so that means I can do (insert whatever here)"
"Well, I'm an adult so I do what I want."
But . . . what is it really?
And what is freedom?
Is freedom being able to choose what you want to eat?
Is it being able to go places alone?
Is it being allowed to drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes?
On a petty level, yes.
Freedom is all of the above.
But TRUE freedom; what is that?
I believe that freedom is walking in a transparent relationship with God.
I believe that freedom is dying to one's selfish desires and living a life completely devoted to God.
I believe that freedom is laying down our idols and picking up the cross.
We are in the midst of the Buddhist culture.
That means there are literal statues of Idols surrounding us.
And everyday the buddhist people put gifts on the altar; things like soda or various meals.
We roll our eyes and say that it's silly
and then continue on into our 'self-governed' freedom.
All the while, we are screaming, yearning, NEEDING, REAL freedom from God but we can't find it because we keep shackling ourselves.
To what?
To our idols.
To our money,
our lust for marriage,
our addictions,
our selfish desires,
our family,
our comfort, etc . . .
To all of the things that take precedence over God.
To all of the things that we think we can handle on our own.
To our idols.
It's like God is just standing there, waiting.
He's just waiting for US to put down our idols.
We hold the keys to our shackles.
We just choose to NOT walk in His freedom.
We choose, instead, to walk in our own version of 'self-governance'
We forget that you can't have true self-governance without
true freedom because with self-governance comes accountability.
With self-governance comes responsibility to the consequences.
We can choose.
We can choose between continuing shackling ourselves,
Or we can choose to walk in His TRUE freedom.
<3tasha
