It was Christmas Day. The presents were wrapped, the pies were made and it was time to sit down for the Christmas feast. Pappy headed down the hill on the dirt road to let the rest of the family know it was time to celebrate. He waved at the man walking up the hill thinking it was Junior, but when both hands went up in surrender he realized it was not his brother in law but a fugitive of the law instead. Not an uncommon occurence since his daddy was a prison guard and the maximum security prison we literally over the river and through the woods. The fugitive assured him he would cause no trouble but instead wanted a ride back to the prison for his escape had turned out to be a mistake. On Christmas Eve the idea of escape and freedom had been overwhelming and he had decided that all he wanted for Christmas was freedom. Freedom from his lot in life. Freedom from facing the consequences of his actions. Freedom sounded wonderful, but after spending a cold, dark night in the woods he realized he was not truly free, but just in bondage to new obstacles. Now he wanted to go back. Pappy walked him up the hill to the house and agreed to take him back but not until the family had finished their lunch and exchanged their gifts. Pulling up a chair in typical family fashion they had a guest for Christmas dinner that year. When the last gift had been opened the time came for their new friend to return to his prison. Taking one last piece of pie for the road he ate slowly as they drove, savoring every morsel. The closer they came to their destination he began to ask, " Can you please drive just a little slower?" He had tasted true freedom that day and he wanted it to linger. He was in no hurry to return to the life his choices had made for him. He wanted freedom and not the freedom his life could offer or create for himself, but true freedom. He wanted freedom with frills. He wanted the gifts, the friends, the family and the pie. He didn't want to hide away looking over his shoulder, but he wanted complete and total freedom. He had tasted it and it was good but it was too late. The decision had been made. His course was set and freedom was not an option. Have you ever longed to be free? I mean truly free! Free for fear, free for worry, free from the strongholds that pull you down, free from the struggles and bondage that grip your life. Freedom cannot be simulated. Freedom is a choice. Freedom comes when we make the choice to follow Jesus each and every day. John 8:36 says, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." I received the ability to walk in freedom 36 years ago when I trusted Jesus as my Savior but I have not always walked in freedom. It has been my choice. It was and is a choice that is made daily. Psalms 119:55 says, "I will walk in freedom because I have sought your precepts." As I seek and know his word I know how I am to think, speak, act and react. Knowing his truth is freedom. Walking in His way is freedom. My theme for the year 2015 is "Walk in freedom." I want to know his word and walk in freedom. Freedom from worry, freedom from the need to please others, freedom from fear, freedom from self, freedom from sin. Not a freedom that I try to create but a true freedom than can only come from following Jesus with reckless abandonment. Not a freedom that I savor for a moment for fear that it will soon end, but a freedom that is certain, a freedom that is eternal. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, " Now The Lord is the Spirt and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. And we who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, as being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory which comes from The Lord who is the spirit." I want to be transformed into his image. I want to reflect His glory in all that I do. Living and playing for an audience of ONE! Walking in Freedom, that is my hearts desire.
