To enjoy freedom we have to control ourselves ~ Virginia Woolf

I was struck by a simple, but profound message in an image on my walk this morning.  A Flag blowing in the wind.  As I stood there watching the unassuming image of our Beautiful Flag waving to ALL who would notice, I was struck with the message that Nothing permeates the mind like “Freedom” as when one is held captive!  I could only imagine the thousands of soldiers held in captivity as they fought for our country’s freedom, whose spirit’s leapt at the site of their precious Flag blowing in the wind.  It wasn’t the Flag, but what the Flag represented ~  THEIR FREEDOM!

Freedom is NEVER Free, a price must be paid!  Yet, those who live on the tab of those who paid the price, never realize the cost until they themselves are held captive, or are faced with paying the price to remain Free.  I am reminded of the story of God’s people in 1 Samuel 8.  God had led the people of Israel out of 400 years of slavery in Egypt, with absolutely NO battle, fighting, or cost on their part.  And still they complained!  When He led them to their Promised Land, He required them to suit up, show up, and fight.  Yet, He delivered everyone of their enemies into their hands.  And still they complained!  As they enjoyed the fruits of the Freedom He gave them, He set up Godly men such as Samuel to act as Judge to help govern their daily affairs.  And still they complained!  The people didn’t want a Judge, they wanted a king.  The Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.” 1Samuel 8:7  When Samuel warned the people what a king to rule over them would do, they still insisted.  But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us.  Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” 1Samuel 8:19-21 The people then, sound a lot like the people now!  We don’t want to have to sacrifice, fight for our own freedom, or follow anyone else’s rules.  WE WANT SOMEONE ELSE TO FIGHT OUR BATTLES FOR US, WHILE WE ENJOY OUR FREEDOM!  The problem was then as it is now, Freedom doesn’t work that way!

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13

I am not a deeply political person.  In my 55 years of life, I have never known personal slavery, except that which I brought on myself by my own fleshly desires (debt, toxic relationships, addictions, etc.). I have served under the leadership of many Presidents during my lifetime.  Some good, many not so good.  However, it is not under a President’s Leadership that I am Ruled.  As a Christ follower, I am Ruled by God’s Word and His Holy Spirit living IN me!  My desire to live as Christ lived rules my daily actions, giving me Freedom from the law of sin and death.  And that Freedom was bought and paid for by the Blood of Jesus Christ hanging on a cross for MY sins.  Therefore, I cannot take that freedom lightly! “Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.” 1Peter 2:16

In all my years, I have never seen our country so at odds over our Presidential Leadership!  We say we want medical reform, yet we won’t agree on changes to be made to get it.  We say we want less debt, yet we don’t wan’t to curb our spending to reduce it, We say we want better education for our kids, yet we don’t want God in our schools to guide them.  We say we want better paying jobs, yet we don’t want to work “that” hard to get it. We say we want protection for our country, yet we don’t want to support our military in times of war to accomplish it.  As I see it, we are not far off from the children of Israel!  It doesn’t matter who we elect as President (King), NOTHING WILL CHANGE, IF NOTHING CHANGES!  WE must be the Change we want to see!  

As I stand before our Precious Flag blowing unassumingly in the wind.  It waves a message for us ALL.  To truly enjoy our Freedom, we MUST start by realizing the ONLY person holding us in captivity is ourselves:  Our wants and desires, Our selfishness, Our bigotry, Our sins!  If we were able to LEAD and FREE ourselves, we would have done it by now.  Since we are not able to lead or free ourselves, God provided His Son, Jesus, to be our Savior.  Our Living Hope is in the Freeing Power of Jesus Christ on the cross! The Cross just as our Flag, represents Freedom that was bought and paid for with blood shed.  “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.” Romans 6:22. Voting a President and Government Officials to Lead our country to prosperity, and continued freedom is a privilege many do not enjoy.  But . . . no matter who we vote for, it is a moot point if we are not willing to Honor and Respect their Authority, and be Led to Fight, Sacrifice, and Change personally!  We cannot ask God to do something New for us, while we remain the same.

Whatever your conviction, don’t just Vote it, LIVE it regardless of who wins!  So, take down your Social Media messages of hate, complaint, and lack of restraint, and Personally DO YOUR PART to:

Pledge allegiance, to the flag, of the Untied States of America
And to the republic, for which it stands, one nation under God
Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all

Father forgive us for wanting anyone but YOU to be our King! You warned us, but we would not listen. From before Christ until now, we still want YOUR protection while we go our own way!  We think it is a President’s fault for the condition of our country, when it is our own. Lead our country to a nationwide repentance as our forefathers “In God We Trust”!  Be with our President and Government Officials.  Surround them with Your Truth, Your Strength, and the people of this country’s Respect and Honor.  May Your Holy Spirit convict each of us in “How” WE must be the change we say we want to see!

If this message spoke to you, please Share it with your friends.  I am one voice, and I cannot change the world, but I can cause a ripple starting with you!