Ok, so I want to reflect a little farther on the freedom that comes from walking with Jesus. There is an analogy that Francis Chan uses that I think fits perfectly. He talks about a train running on a track. Suppose that train wanted to excercise its freedom, so it removed itself from the track. Is that train now free? NO! That train can't even move. The place of greatest freedom for it is right on the track. Once it returns to the track it can move as fast and far as it longs to! When that train was built it had an intended purpose. It was created to fulfill a function - and that function was good! So, ultimate freedom for the train is in being and doing was it was meant to be and do.
We are all created with different personalities, gifts and tendencies (1 Cor 12) - so in some ways we will all fulfill our purpose and thus find freedom differently. For example, I am a musician. I have been drawn to music as far back as I can remember - and I feel most alive, most engaged, and most worshipful when I am interacting with God and others through music.
Outside of our different personalities, though, is a common bond that unites us in purpose. Every one of us has been created in the image of God (Gen 1:27). We were uniquely made to reflect God's character and authority. Because we were originally created for this specific purpose, we will find the deepest fulfillment and freedom when we are whole-heartedly and passionately living out of that purpose. Running away from God doesn't give us ultimate freedom, because in doing so we are denying the loving Maker who knows what will ultimately bring us happiness, peace, and fulfillment here on earth. Half-heartedly acknowledging God but then living for our own purposes does not bring complete freedom and contentment either, because God's purpose and will is supposed to effect and influence every area of our lives.
I am beginning to understand what this all looks like in such a different way lately. For years I had defined my role and purpose through other people. I used the examples of Christians around me to understand the Christ-life rather than simply looking to Jesus himself to reveal my true identity. The more I study God's word - the more I understand who Jesus was and what He came to do - the clearer my purpose becomes. The freer I am to live for His plan and purpose. . . Having looked to others for this understanding for so long, I had become enslaved to other's expectations of me. Oh how I worked and labored (often unsuccessfully) to become the kind of woman I thought everyone else wanted and expected! I was definitely not free. . .
I am free now not because I am living a reckless, self-centered life. I am free because I am living a purposeful, Jesus-centered life. I don't have to impress or appease anyone. And on some level, at some point, we will probably disagree. But I'm not going to let that discourage me anymore. I am finally running on the track that God created for me. I feel the wind at my back and the sun on my face - and I am convinced that this is the only way to find true security, confidence, fulfillment, and peace in this life. God has given us everything we need (2 Pet 1:3) - it is up to us to hop on board and run in the paths of His commands. Not because someone else told us to, but because at the core of who we are we know and believe that His way is really the way, and following His commands is what will make us truly free. . .
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