FREEDOM.
The name of one of the bars on Bangla Road.
I almost laugh every time I walk by. It’s not a healthy laugh, though.
It’s more of a …”this is super ironic and super, super sad” laugh.
The women and ladyboys who work on Bangla are NOT free.
The men who visit them are NOT free.
Nope. They are in bondage. They are chained in insecurities. They are locked in their search of love. They are held captive by fear, loneliness, and brokenness. They are far, oh so far, from freedom.
But, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. – 2 Cornithians 3:17
As we prayer walk in the afternoons and enter into the bar scene at night, we put on the full armor of God. We invite the Spirit of the Lord into our hearts, minds, souls. We invite the Spirit to use us as vessels of light and love. We take the Spirit in every day and night.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Over and over and over again, I have claimed the words of Jason Upton’s song, Freedom Reigns, over Bangla Road.
Freedom reigns in this place.
Showers of mercy and grace.
Falling on every face.
There is freedom.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
I declare FREEDOM for the men, women, and ladyboys on Bangla Road. I declare the Spirit of the Lord will sweep through this dark place and light up the darkness. I declare that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
