Welcome To Adulting By JP PokludaSample

Day Three

Finding True Freedom

Scripture: Galatians 5:1

 

As an adult, you’re finally in charge of your own life. FREEDOM. You’re no longer under the authority of your parents, and you get to make your own rules. With freedom comes responsibility. In a way, being responsible is what being an adult is all about.

As I’ve mentioned, back in my twenties, I was focused on my own freedom and building a kingdom of my own authority. Someone invited me to church, and the preacher told a silly story about a wild horse who just wanted to be free. He had no shelter from the wind, rain, and snow. And he lived in constant fear of being captured by someone. He didn’t want anyone to take away his freedom. 

One day, a cowboy successfully captured the wild stallion. The cowboy spent time with the horse and eventually “broke” him—meaning the horse could be ridden. As the pastor related the story, it was this line that changed my life: “It wasn’t until he was fully submissive to his master that he truly found freedom.” It wasn’t just a silly story anymore. I realized I was seeking what I thought would bring freedom, but all it brought me was loneliness, broken relationships, and addictions.

The Bible is quite specific about how we are to live out our freedom. It still took some convincing for me to submit to God’s authority in my life, which included submitting to the earthly authorities he’d put over me. And there were some habits to break and fences to mend. Eventually, the words I used changed into words that built others up. The things I looked at were not perversions the world offered but things that led to life. What I did for fun changed to what didn’t have consequences and only offered true enjoyment. Through the process, I’ve learned that the moral of that preacher’s story was true: it was only through submitting to the Master, the Lord of the universe, that I was able to find the freedom I so desperately wanted.

How has your desire for freedom stolen freedoms from you? Are you willing to examine in your life and honestly ask, does this behavior, choice, or relationship bring me freedom or take freedom from me? Give thought as to what small steps you can make today in the direction of true freedom.