Freedom Has Boundaries

I love talking about the freedoms we have here in the United States. Paul Harvey used to say that “with great freedom comes great responsibility”.  Freedom has boundaries to operate within. Adolf Hitler felt he was free to steal, kill and destroy. He learned that there are boundaries to our freedom.  I remember on our adoption day with Luke, the judge telling him that there were all sorts of cool things here in the US, but he would not be free to roam wherever he wanted like he had as a kid in Nicaragua.

Jeremiah had been held captive by his own people, but the king of Babylon was about to free him after they captured Jerusalem and took the other captives back to Babylon to live. Check this out….

² When the commander of the guard found Jeremiah, he said to him, “The Lord your God decreed this disaster for this place. ³ And now the Lord has brought it about; he has done just as he said he would. All this happened because you people sinned against the Lord and did not obey him. ⁴ But today I am freeing you from the chains on your wrists. Come with me to Babylon, if you like, and I will look after you; but if you do not want to, then don’t come. Look, the whole country lies before you; go wherever you please.” ⁵ However, before Jeremiah turned to go,Nebuzaradan added, “Go back to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed over the towns of Judah, and live with him among the people, or go anywhere else you please.”

Then the commander gave him provisions and a present and let him go. ⁶ So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah and stayed with him among the people who were left behind in the land.(Jeremiah 40:2-6 NLT)

Jeremiah was given options and he chose the ones suggested to him. He was grateful to be free, but I’m sure he was heartbroken at what it took to break the will of his people.

I believe there is great freedom in following the Lord.

I believe that there are boundaries when following the Lord.

The boundaries He has installed have been put there for our own protection. Parents have tight boundaries placed on their small children. As they grow and mature, they are given more freedoms.

I believe that the Lord operates like a wise Father. He is so patient with us as we live inside the freedom that He has provided. He wants us to continue to love Him and to get to know Him more.  As my kids grew up and became adults, my relationship with them pivoted to become more of a confidant than a parent who gives direction. I now give counsel and hopefully wise counsel. Freedom to make my own choices and choose my own way comes with accepting the responsibility of my decisions.

I want to consistently live in the Freedom of my Father in Heaven. I want His counsel and guidance every step of the way.

Pressing On!

Dwayne