I’ve been musing today about the battle between the quest for freedom and our human tendencies to be controlling.
In religion…we form organizations…and kill off relationships because it is in the nature of organizations to protect the systems that keep it alive.
In education…we put a scope and sequence in place, create an artificial environment for learning….and kill off curiosity and ingenuity.
In the workforce…we place efficiency and “the bottom line” as the ultimate goal…and destroy the artistry of the individual. (And demoralize them as well.)
As I watch these things and grow more aware of our society that demands conformity and obeisance to the insanity…the more jealous I grow of freedom. For myself and especially my children as I don’t see this battle dying down anytime soon. If anything, it’s accelerating.
I think the key to freedom is to first get in touch with who you are: Who did God make you to be? What are your dreams, values and passions?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. What do you think?
Filed under: Individuality, Just for fun, Labels are for Soup Cans
I recently watched a video blog from Jim Robbins on this subject. It was entitled “loss of identity” and you can find it at the bottom of this page…Check it out!
http://www.robbinswritings.com/video-blogs/
I’m sure at some point you’ve heard or read the Psalm that says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” For me, that light is like a flashlight illuminating just barely a step ahead. God doesn’t seem to let me in on the big picture very often. The hard part is taking that next step not knowing where exactly He is leading me. When I jump to conclusions about that path, I find moving ahead in faith even more difficult. So much of that struggle comes from thinking that I know what would suit me better than God knows.
Thanks, Mountainash….I’m listening to it right now….good stuff!
I love the point you make about not seeing the big picture…this walk of faith is maddening at time just because of that “unknown” element. (There’s that control thing again!)
I appreciate your thoughts…
The foundation of freedom is only found in Christ. No matter how much we strive or try to paper over our shortcomings, until we turn ourselves over to Him we are captives of our sin nature. I’ve heard stories of folks in China who have served jail time for making a public declaration of faith in Christ. Though they may be in literal shackles, their spirits are free. That’s what made the early church grow like crazy. That’s the kind of freedom we should pray for and be thankful for the liberties we have here to openly declare our faith, while following our God-given dreams.
I certainly agree with Jason that there is an internal freedom that can’t be touched even by the presence of chains. And I’m also aware of the reality of the delicate dance that reality creates when juxtaposed with the quest for environments defined by and governed by grace instead of law and conformity. But to me that all just speaks to another reality….the tension that exists in this process of redemption we have been invited to participate in.
Jason- So very true. HE is the only place where we can really find freedom….or begin on the journey to freedom.
Kent—another mind blowing thought….the “delicate dance” that takes place in our environment. I struggle with that a great deal as a parent….when do I lay down the law and when do I let go? Yep…it definitely causes tension!