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. (Galatians 5:1 NIV)
Last night I watched the movie, "As Good As It Gets" in which Jack Nicholson plays a guy who could say the most unbelievably mean things to people, but... and at first simply to serve his own purposes... begins doing the most amazingly kind and generous things for a couple of people on the outskirts of his life.
It reinforced Pastor Chad's sermon yesterday morning. We are free in Christ. We can use that freedom to serve our own desires no matter who it hurts, or we can use that freedom to reach out to others. And like so much else God tries to teach us, there is a great paradox here. When we use our freedom to serve our own desires, we find ourselves prisoners of our desires. But when we use our freedom to serve others, we find all the joy and peace and happiness that true freedom can give.
I love when the Gospel message runs so opposite the messages of the world. I love the numerous, wonderful paradoxes found in the Gospel message. If only we had the courage it takes to tell the world to "take a hike." If only we could trust the Truth enough to believe it as truth. If all of us Christians who are supposed to live these paradoxes actually lived them, we would find God's kingdom right here on earth.
Lord God,
Help us to live free... really free; not the freedom the world offers, but the freedom you teach us. Amen.
Joys: Family cookout on Saturday; my sisters and their families coming for a visit in July... I can't wait! I miss my sisters!; fun weekend planned with Richard and some friends next week
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