The Quest for Freedom

I had a great conversation last night with a high school exchange student from China. Amos does not believe in God, but he does believe in freedom. He has a burning desire in his heart for the freedom of his nation. The conversation was free-ranging but the issues of faith, freedom and the ability to make a difference were recurring themes. While we were talking, I realized something: This was the first conversation I had ever had with someone who does not enjoy the benefits of freedom in their normal life.

Americans do not know the great value of what we take for granted. The ability to speak and publish freely my opinions and thoughts is a privilege that men and women risked their lives for. The freedom to practice my faith without oppression or suppression is another right that has not been the norm throughout history. When Paul talked about government and authority, he was writing from the position of one who is not free: Romans 13:1-5 “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.”

Yet he wrote in another letter: Galatians 5:1 “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.”

Freedom is a state of mind. It is the ability, no matter the circumstances, to live in hope, faith and love and to do what is right, despite trials and troubles. Many who live in America do not experience this freedom. They come from cultures where the people are subject to the decrees of their rulers and masters, they live in fear. Fear of the police. Fear of their neighbor. Fear of their employer and the list goes on.

This is the choice we face as individuals: Do I live in faith or fear? There is so much to fear. My family lives in a neighborhood where a young girl was murdered on her way home from high school. Just stay there for a moment. Her whole life in front of her, she was abducted and abused and murdered. The authorities have not caught the perpetrator. We live in fear that this will happen again. And yet, we go about our daily lives. Going to and fro to shop, to work, to go to school and we have moved on and the fear is lessening every day. The ignorance of fear is not faith. Faith is the proactive choice that refuses to be subject to terror. The choice to meet evil with good, despair with hope, and hate with love.

These are the daily practices of a follower of Jesus. As I spoke with Amos about the deeper things of life, I realized that I have much to be grateful for. As I prayed for his hopes and desires for the future I could see that God has a destiny for this young man, who wants to go to Harvard Law School, to change his nation! Wow!