The Freedoms we forget
Knowing that this last weekend we celebrated Freedom in America it brought to mind the many freedoms that I have taken for granted over time. Here are 11 things that we American's should be thankful for:
Freedom to choose Education: In many some countries in particular China I learned that you don't have the option of what University you will attend or even what you will study. You are tested and sent to the University to study the program that most suits the results on your test.
Freedom of Religion: In America we have the freedom of Religion. This is often argued over; but the truth is we don't have a state religion as countries like Malaysia do. In Malaysia many have to be very careful even secretive about their belief in Jesus. Our contact has a English school but does not share his faith openly unless he is asked by his students. You are not allowed to share your faith with a local Malay person unless they ask you.
Freedom of Speech: for example in Thailand the king is always a good man. You are not allowed to speak out again the government or you could be punished. In America we express our opinions about the government freely.
Freedom to seek out our dreams: Many people lack dreams. In Japan, China and other countries we've encountered young people who have not really dared to dream. They know that there is a lot to see and do around them, however they seem to lack the encouragement to go out and pursue their dreams. As I already mentioned for many their careers are already in a way chosen for them.
Freedom to communicate: this was experienced mostly in China where websites such as Facebook are blocked. In America the internet has very few limitations unless we put them into place ourselves; such as parental controls.
Freedom to chose where our money goes: In some places like Cambodia or Thailand we've been met by children who are walking through the streets selling small items. In a lot of cases the money that these children make does not go to them for clothes or food, it goes back to the person that has sent them out.
Freedom to choose what we eat: Even on our small daily budget we still have a pretty good variety of foods. And I still consider myself quite blessed as many families that we have met particularly in Asian countries and in Swaziland eat a very small selection of foods. For the children in Swaziland, that eat a porridge each day called pap and a small variety of fruits and vegetables. Avocados and Oranges are favorites.
Freedom to chose how you live: We have lived in many different places on the race. Apartments, and houses of various shapes and to sizes. Some of them have been great and pretty close to what one might have in America, others have been a little more difficult and left us wishing for beds, less bugs, and more personal space. However no matter how “hard"we thought our living situation there are those living near us that still had far less than we have as a result of where they live and the lack of provision that comes from the large unemployment rate in many of the countries we have visited.
Freedom to receive education: Education in other countries has definitely made a big impact on me. For many children for example some that we met during month 10 in Swaziland; education is not necessarily an option. If a family cannot afford to pay for their children's uniform and the needed supplies they will not attend school.
Freedom to dress in your own style: Jeans, earrings, tattoos, tank tops, shorts; these are all common to our style yet in places like a Romanian village church they would not be considered appropriate. Many of the places that we have visited have had specific dress requirements. I wasn't in a place where I had to wear a skirt every day, we did have to be aware of how we were dressing though.
Freedom to go places alone: the world race has a buddy rule which I completely appreciate; especially being in unfamiliar places. However, I sometimes say that the race has made me co-dependent because I cannot go anywhere without at least one other person. While it is nice to consistently have someone to go exploring with, sometimes I just WANT to go walking on the beach by myself. Appreciate you freedom friends and family to go out when you want and to go where you want.
As I read back through this list I realize how blessed I truly am. However these things are wonderful but there is a freedom that is even greater, and offered to All who chose to believe. That is freedom in Christ!!
I challenge you to also look at your lives and the freedoms that you enjoy. What are you taking for granted? Are you living your life in total freedom?
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)
God bless!
