How To Get Free
You can read Amaris’ comment from yesterday’s post on No Vision No Policy, to see what motivated me to write today’s post. Here’s what she asked me:
There is a block when we try to move into freedom and I think that some of these reasons are why. So my last question is, what are some practical things we can do to help ourselves and others move into freedom? We are going to feel the slap of the fresh air, we can’t escape that, so now where do we go?
This is my quick answer:
- First of all I think we need to have an honest appraisal of ourselves. We need to observe honestly all that is going on in our brains. I think we need to realize how enslaved we are. I know so many people enslaved by a vision of what they think they should be or what others think they should be. I was just talking with a young woman this morning who doesn’t feel free to make her own life-decision out of fear of disappointing her parents’ dream for her. We need to recognize, in our own minds, the things that we are enslaved by… even the very noble and acceptable things. That is the first step.
- The next step is automatic. I believe that when we recognize our enslavements, we are immediately before an open door and within an opened room. About 11 years ago I was feeling completely trapped and hopeless in a church situation. I had a dream one night and woke up the next day a free man. Nothing had changed except my thinking. My mind had changed, and I was free. Life’s never been the same since. When we recognize and name our captors in our own minds, they immediately turn into vapor.
- The next step is to practice your liberty. Act free! Expect opposition. Expect to disappoint people. Expect to get shot at. A truly liberated person is often quite offensive. But those who hunger and thirst for freedom are inspired by such people. Live free and speak free and others will take their cue from you. You can’t make people be free, but only describe what this freedom is and live it. Take marriage for example. Lisa and I have been married for over 27 years. I prefer young lovers to watch us live and love each other rather than sit down and be counseled and taught by us. Same with freedom. If you think, live, and speak as a free person, others around you will explore the possibility for themselves.
I’m sorry if this is way too simplistic. But I honestly believe it is as simple as that. This isn’t to say it isn’t hard. It requires much courage and energy to examine ourselves. That is the hardest part. If you succeed here, the rest is gravy.
The fine art photograph is the creation of my daughter Casile (on the right), and is a photo of herself and her friend Emily.
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There’s an ancient myth that says, “If you have the name of the demon you have power over the demon and, if asked, the demon has to give you its name.”
I don’t believe in the idea of evil, but I do believe there are lies and fear. And, in religious terms, the counter points of lies and fear are truth and faith.
I read that in the ancient language of Aramaic there is no word for evil. The word translated as evil is really the word for immature. Tradition has said that Jesus spoke Aramaic and I have done an interesting experiment by reading sayings where Jesus uses the word evil and substituting the word immature.
It creates a whole different feel to many of Jesus’ statements. The ideas presented take on a directive to see the world as one who is becoming mature rather than a directive to be “good.” Rather than condemnation, by labeling someone or something as evil, it becomes an observation that immaturity is the cause of a lot of suffering.
Evil is this mysterious irrational force that has only wants to destroy for no reason. I believe that to be a lie. I don’t believe that evil exists, only ignorance, lies, and fear. Evil is a lie that allows demons to hide and remain nameless, but fear and deception are names we can understand. They are things we can overcome once we name them.
And too often, when someone labels something as evil, we fail to ask the demon its name.
interesting richard. and helpful. i agree that the world “evil” has taken on entirely new meanings that i think are misleading… for instance, Bush’s use of the word “evil” to describe people who don’t like us.
nice timing — i’m preaching on freedom tonite and sunday morning. your point #3 just became a quote in my sermon.
“If you think, live, and speak as a free person, others around you will explore the possibility for themselves.” (David)
I agree 100%. People that are trapped in religion or even trapped in life’s downfalls - if they can see someone walk the road out - they might follow.
so question my friend… you said “we need to have an appraisal of ourselves”… can you describe what this process looks like for me? Because I have a feeling it really is a process… where does one start? I guess this blog hit home for me because as you said we are ‘enslaved’ by who we are supposed to be, and how we are supposed to act… so how do we connect that with Paul who seemed to be so many things to so many people just so he could preach the gospel… does this make sense or am I just tired?
There are very few that I hear talk about the liberty that Paul spoke of, and even fewer that have even the slightest inkling of what it is. December 23rd, 1995 was when I became liberated and free. Still am to this day.
Can you accurately assess yourself? How do you do that objectively? Don’t you need help?
this is not simplistic… this is fantastic stuff… real wisdom my friend.
the most profound experience i’ve had of changing from enslaved to free was with my first marriage. i had a big experience of letting go. after spending a couple of years hanging on to the ankles of my relationship like a jack russell, i was lying on my bed one difficult afternoon and i said to god, ‘i give up, this is all too much, you take this burden i’m too tired.’ the difference in me was remarkable. at the time, i thought letting go meant that my relationship would be restored to me. as it turned, out i was actually prepared for the final breakup, and it was not traumatic in the way that seperation certainly was.
sometimes this story is contraversial to some christians, as they don’t believe god could ever be involved in a marriage break up… but i’m so glad he was. so glad of his grace and acceptance… it’s an experience that keeps me believing.
points 1 to 3 are absolutely true… thankyou for putting it into words so eloquently.