Be Free
“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
“When you are interiorly free you call others to freedom, whether you know it or not. Freedom attracts wherever it appears,” writes Henri Nouwen in his book Bread for the Journey: A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith. There’s something so intriguing about being around someone who is free, who doesn’t spend their time worrying about what others think of them or how they look, who knows in their heart of hearts that they are loved by God.
It reminds me of Max Lucado’s children’s book You Are Special. In the story, the wooden Wemmicks spend their days giving one another stars and dots. They give one another yellow stars for being beautiful or talented or interesting, and give gray dots to those whose paint is chipping or who aren’t as beautiful or special. But one day the main character Punchinello (who only ever gets dots) meets a Wemmick who has no stars or dots; neither seem to be able to stick to her. How does she manage to do it, to keep the praise and the criticism of others from affecting her? She goes to see Eli the woodcarver every day. And as she sits in his presence, the stars and the dots fall away.
The same is true for us. Because we have Christ, we are free from the burdens of others’ opinions, free from measuring up or being “good enough”, free from our sin. We don’t have to stay captive to the ways of the world. We can be free. And as Galatians 5 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Our freedom, our ability to walk through the world with our heads held high and our hearts secure with the love of Christ, sets us apart and allows others to see there’s a better way. Our freedom invites others to be free.
Today I hope you are able to see the many ways Christ has set you free, and as you go throughout your day, I hope you share that freedom and love with everyone you encounter. You are special, you are loved, you are free.