Contrary
to what I had thought, I did not need easing circumstances, relief
from difficulty, and distance from pain in order to be free. I was
learning that the freedom Jesus secured for me is not freedom from
pain and suffering here and now. Rather, it’s freedom from
bitterness, anger, fear, resentment, self-pity, offense, and
hopelessness in the crucible of present pain and suffering; it is
freedom from my burdensome sense of “I deserve better,” the
encumbrance of entitlement. I was realizing that only the gospel can
free us from the enslaving pressure to defend ourselves. That’s
real freedom—God-sized freedom! (76)
It is funny what we often think is freedom in reality is just more bondage and servitude. Recently, while sharing a feast of fellowship and food with friends, we had a brief discussion of a concept and strategy of investment referred to as "Freedom 55". We mused that this might better be labelled "Servitude 67" and none of us knew of any 55 year old enjoying their retirement. The race for riches-no different than the sprint for success or the marathon for money-is ultimately unsatisfying and results in our hearts being imprisoned; this is not freedom. True freedom only comes from the gospel, the cross, the Redeemer.
Tchividjian, Tullian. Jesus + Nothing = Everything. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2011. Print.
No comments:
Post a Comment