What does freedom mean for you?
When most people today think about freedom, they generally think about freedom from. Freedom from rules, external constraints and restrictions.
That’s why you hear people say: You can’t tell me what to do. It’s a free country. I can do whatever I want to do. Don’t you dare try to take away my freedom.
Deep down we think freedom means being free to do whatever I want. To live without rules or restrictions. We think that’s freedom! But that has nothing to do with freedom at all.
Think about it. If you’re above the age of 19 in Ontario, you’re free to drink as much alcohol as you want. But do you know what happens if you do that?
It will affect your judgment, your behaviour and your health. Over time, you might lose your job and your relationships. And when you realize the damage it’s caused and you try to stop, do you know what you’ll discover?
You’ll discover that you can’t stop. Because you’re addicted. You thought you were free. But in fact you gave away your freedom.
You see, the freedom to do whatever you want to do will cost you a much greater freedom. The freedom for peace, joy and meaning. The freedom to love, serve and bless. In other words, the freedom to live the life God created you to live.
