Feelings & Freedom

The feelings are oppressive and overwhelming both individually and especially collectively.

Helplessness.
Fear.
Anxiety.
Hate.
Grief.
Despair.
Hopelessness.

The flood of questions and rush of finger-pointers only seem to heap insults onto the injured, yet in our attempts to comprehend and somehow reconcile the events of the last few days, we all try to find someone to blame, some thing to hold responsible - perhaps to predict and prevent another such inexplicable act from occurring ever again.

These emotions are easily justified and easy to give into. Submitting to them only binds us again into the spiritually slavery that Christ came to set us free from.

“For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 ESV

 As Christ followers and Church members we are the light. We have been set free from these very real, very suffocating feelings, yet even we all too often give into them and literally bind ourselves up into the sinful consequences of succumbing to the undertow and tide of their crashing, devestating waves.

How do we stand firm therefore?

How can we speak into the darkness?

How do we help those enslaved by these feelings?

We see people standing in line to give blood. We see politicians and elected officials make pleas for new legislation. We see others throwing in financial support and/or starting other drives for other resources.

All these things are well and good, but unless these people are living in and offering others the freedom of Christ, the aid that they give will be temporary. While I am sure their motives are the most sincere, all the efforts, funds, explanations, and "answered" questions will still leave us with feelings of inadequacy and uncertainty.

In the meantime, life is already marching on. We are going to work. We are paying bills. We are fixing dinners and doing loads of laundry. The urgency to do something, anything is fading. 

In the midst of trying to come to terms with what has just happened and to explain the unexplainable, we all want to help. But yet most of us do not see the difference we can make on our own. We discount the power of our prayers and, all too soon, with the passing of not enough time, the passion of our feelings fade and our well of motivation to do something dries quickly up.

Before that happens, as we decide to turn off the talking heads on the news channels because we cannot take the weight of watching and hearing more details and more pain, let us realize that there are things we can do, ways we can step into to the fray and offer freedom through Christ. We ARE the light in these dark days. Do not turn away yet . . .

Church- we can't NOT be changed by all of this again. We can't sit by and watch and NOT DO anything. Where are our convictions? 

The excuses come easily enough -

I am one person, what difference can I make?

We don't have any "extra" money to donate.

I don't have any time to organize one more project.

We don't really know anyone directly affected. 

I live so far away.

My challenge is simple enough - By God's grace and design we are where we are to offer freedom and light to those we are around. 

Whether it is the cashier at Kroger's or our closest friend, we can live Jesus out to them. A smile, a kind word, a listening ear . . . True they may not be a victim of a hurricane or a survivor of a mass shooting, but we may or may not know the turmoil inside of them. Chances are we have not even taken the time to contemplate their life situation or history. 

So, take time to play with your kids. Be intentional to really listen to the lady who talks A LOT. Look the stranger in the eye. 

When given the opportunity speak hope into the despair. Combat the hate with love. Sooth the anger with gentleness. Share truth with compassion and abandon.  All to and with the people we live beside and with everyday.

These aren't just happy, abstract thoughts, but literal opportunities to fight back against the very real ruler of this age. We have been set free from his rule and reign - Let's make it habitual to live in freedom in such a way that Christ can use us to set others free as well. "... do not submit again to the yoke of slavery."