Independence Day

When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. Romans 6:20-22

In honor of Independence Day, I am enjoying a rare moment of semi-independence. I am alone at camp, as far as I can tell, which is at the same time very strange and very peaceful. My husband and kids have gone off to town with apparently everyone else who stayed for the weekend - off to see the Tranformers movie. Since I prefer not to pay to take a nap (which is exactly what would happen were I to sit still in a dark room for more than two minutes), I opted to stay back. I am finally able to update my blog, while doing laundry, designing graphics, and programming for Christmas, order printing, and getting things ready for another week of camp. I find this oddly relaxing...! I can leave the air conditioning off without flack, sit and write without interruption, without the sounds of TV, video games, or even just the constant flow of folks in and out of the bus. It is GLORIOUS!

But I know it will be short-lived. And that's okay. Without the constant "noise" of life, I can't really fully appreciate the rare moments of quiet.

And the truth of the matter is that freedom - real freedom - is a concept most folks completely misunderstand. Freedom really isn't this state of being able to do what ever you want. Real freedom is about choosing your master.

I think about the teens I've met over the years who have this crazy idea that freedom is about doing what ever you want - living free from rules. What I've often explained to them is that getting free from one set of rules just means that you're subject to a different set of rules. There is always some authority out there, setting limits on what you can and cannot do, imposing consequences for the breaking of the rules. Whether the authority is a parent, a job supervisor, a law enforcement officer, landlord, or what ever - there is someone to answer to.

The passage from Romans points this fact out to us in spiritual terms. (I am very familiar with the verse that follows this passage, Romans 6:23, but it both fascinates and saddens me that I've never really taken a longer look at the context of that verse.)

What Paul (the writer of Romans) points out to us is that we have options in life. That's where freedom comes in - we are free to choose our master. If we choose sin, which is the world's idea of freedom, we choose death. If we choose God, which the world often mistakes as religious bondage, we choose life. This is the real offer of freedom - freedom from the power of sin, freedom from eternal doom, freedom for LIFE!

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. Deuteronomy 30:19-20a

This Independence Day, I invite you to choose LIFE! ...Just a thought...