What is the purpose of freedom? If we are slaves, our desires are for freedom. Once we are free, what should our desires turn to?
In my own life and watching the lives of others, I have learned that freedom can turn to slavery of a different kind. If I am poor, I seek to be freed from poverty. Once I gain enough money to be free from poverty, I can turn my desires to protect my wealth, returning to a different form of slavery. I am now serving the money that set me free from poverty. That slavery turns to self-protection, greed, fear, and distrust of others.
The God-designed purpose for freedom is to serve one another. If we are free, then we no longer need to worry about ourselves, so we can turn our focus to others and serve them. However, as we serve others, we feel our freedom being challenged. We give up our rights to serve others. Is there a freedom that sustains us even if we are servants of others?
Military men and women have made a career out of serving others. They have as free men and women decided to serve others as a career. They take their freedom and safety and serve others so that they may be free and safe. Their complete freedom seems to be forfeited to serve others. They must deploy: they must leave family: they must move. Is there a freedom that goes deeper than circumstances? Is there a freedom that is eternal that can sustain us even though we spend a lifetime serving others?
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
Christ set us free, once and for all eternity. If we owed God anything, if we lacked anything standing before God, Jesus freed us. There is nothing you need that He has not provided. You cannot increase your standing before God by working, protecting, or earning anything. He has set you free from all things lacking in your life. Do not place this burden back on yourselves. God gave us salvation as a gift, why would you then try and earn it. It is free, and it is eternal, that covers it all. Nothing left for you to do. Since we are free, what should we do?
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. Galatians 5:13-15
If we are completely free, eternally, then we can focus on others because we are taken care of. I often think how much more I would help others if my financial needs were met in abundance. I would quit thinking about how to take care of my family, and I could completely focus on the needs of others. Well, that is what Jesus did for us. He completely took care of us, forever, so we can focus on serving the needs of others, forever.
The strength to serve in the military can be sustained by the freedom that Christ has given us. God loves you, Jesus died for you, the Spirit sustains you So no matter what the circumstances, you can completely serve others. Ah, what freedom to be released from serving myself! I am complete forever. I am free to serve others.
Father in heaven, thank you for sending your Son Jesus to serve me, making me complete. Help me serve others as Jesus has served me.
