Living liberated is a beautiful thing. I felt it’s cost, too, in the sticky summer air. Suddenly, while standing on the bridge at Wilson’s Creek Battlefield, a huge flock of birds started swooping and swirling around Finley and I. It was incredibly powerful, yet peaceful. The atmosphere was stifling–it was a heavy quiet before a summer storm. Perhaps like the air on that August dayin 1861 where multitudes surrendered everything for freedom.
Freedom. Liberty.Desired by all.
The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep’s throat, for which the sheep thanks the shepherd as his liberator, while the wolf denounces him for the same act as the destroyer of liberty. Plainly, the sheep and the wolf are not agreed upon a definition of liberty.
Abraham Lincoln
The Freedom to Live
“I had reasoned this out in my mind, there was one of two things I had a right to, liberty or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other.” Harriet Tubman
The “freedom to live” is classified as a fundamental right in the United States, associated with other liberties such as freedom and the pursuit of happiness.1The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states “nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws“.
“While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.” — Stephen R. Covey
The Freedom to Prosper
Order without liberty and liberty without order are equally destructive.
Freedom is a gift, but unequal opportunities and economic fluctuations keep us facing hard realities. True security requires watching those in power and fiercely defending our liberties. Where power is chased we must guard the very pillars of our democracy!
How do I balance being a responsible and productive citizen with my top priority? My sole purpose for existence?
My Freedom to Let Go–Live Surrendered
Being emancipated and freed from the world is true liberty. There was a time my freedom “choices” were not interwined with His character. Jesus proclaimed that He came to “proclaim liberty to the captives” (Luke 4:18). The New Testament teaches that faith in Christ frees individuals from the penalty and power of sin. I’m not burdened by fear or religious legalism. When I left my own personal prison and entered a conscious and deep personal union with Christ, I experienced true freedom. My soul found healing. His grace is limitless. My true self and identity are found only in Him. Surrendering my rights allows me to walk in His will.
K.L. Hale
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 (ESV)
“The happiness which God designs for His higher creatures is the happiness of being freely, voluntarily united to Him and to each other in an ecstasy of love and delight.”
C.S. Lewis
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17
When the weight of the world is heavy, like the summer air, I remember my ultimate citizenship isn’t tied to the USA flag I love so much. It belongs to a Kingdom that never crumbles or shakes–and I love that more! My primary allegiance belongs to God. “Fixing humanity” is a heavy burden, friends. It can’t happen. I’m “free” to care about the world–I must LOVE God and OTHERS. Politics will shift power–only Christ will shift hearts. I’m resting in the fact that He is on the throne. I surrender. I’m free. I’m living …liberated.
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another”. Galatians 5:13
Do you know how loved you are? Have hope-keep the faith! ❣️
With a puzzled look on his face, Justin, a sandy-colored hair cutie, asked, “How do people say the pledge in other towns?”
Like typical, I sought for clarification. “In what way would someone in a different town say the pledge, Justin?”
“Well, we say ‘to the Republic’ for which it stands because we live in Republic,” he muttered.
“Let me explain why “to the Republic” is for the whole country,” I replied, placing my arm around his shoulders (and giving the gigglers of the group my “hush look”).
Justin was a proud 2nd grade Republic Tiger in Republic, Missouri. Me? I was a proud mom and teacher. This was my 5th year teaching and I was feeling more settled in my roles.
“Hurry up and draw the stick Mrs. Snook!” Oh boy! The lucky one would be our pledge leader as we joined the entire school body for the morning pledge (heard over a loud intercom). Echoes of the voices in nearby classes would be heard. This morning routine continued in my career for many years.
Typical days in the classroom, immediately following the pledge, would begin with a morning message on the board (“Wheel of Fortune” style). Hands would go up to guess the letters to reveal my message of what they would learn that day (objectives in my paragraph form). For at least seven years this strategy worked in teaching kids the parts of a letter, the spelling of greetings and endings (back in the days of spelling instruction and actual letter writing), and most importantly, my love for them (“I love you” was always my closing).
Proudly during the course of a day I’d present lessons of our history. It wasn’t just the good stuff. And I’d share of its people and its grandeur (and I was young; barely had I experienced all the beauty and wonder I’d later enjoy). Later in my career, I could share stories of visiting many beautiful and wonderful states. Rubbing my curiosity off on the kids (not germs) was a daily goal; especially with knock-your-socks-off science experiments. We read as if our lives depended on it-and soaked in books all around! I’d encourage questioning, researching, and awareness. The days would end with class meetings to confirm our collaboration and tighten our tiny community. We didn’t have to agree or even understand what someone was sharing, but we were all respectful and active listeners (with eye contact too!).
There’s a clipping, tucked safely in my large tub of memorabilia, of an article I wrote published in the Springfield News-Leader (titled “Respect”) fall of ’97. I’m pictured kneeling on the carpet with a book in my hand, and Justin and the class scattered around me. We read and sang to the precious residents of a nearby senior center. They loved hearing the kids recite the pledge. It meant something. This was a cherished monthly event.
By the end of that school year Justin understood the words of the pledge. He continued to ask so many spectacular questions that year. He, and the others, taught me as much as I taught them about respect, community, problem-solving, understanding, hard work,…and love. Many revolutions have occurred since that year. The world keeps spinning and adding movements. I wonder what questions Justin might ask today.
