As a mother, I've watched my son leave for war. I was proud of the service that he was giving to the country, yet sad at the thought of him fighting for people who may not appreciate his sacrifice. I kissed him one last time and walked away. Tears were in my eyes and sorrow on my heart. I knew he was going to a place where the people have not had freedom and don't know how to accept it. They have been enslaved for so long that they have accepted it and because of the possible sacrifice, they were afraid.
I watched the news each night while he was away to hear anything about the war. I began to feel genuine frustration at the media, the US media, that only reported one side of the war. They made sure to share the deaths, the bombings, anything that would show how bad the US is. If I was looking for public relations, I certainly wouldn't choose our US Media. Where were the good things happening? The stories that told of rebuilding schools, giving away hundreds of shoes to children and of our safety in the US because they are fighting the terrorist over there?
I felt as if God was showing me today that this is how He felt when He sent His only Son to battle for our freedom. There were those around Him that only reported the laws He was breaking, they neglected to tell of the demons that were cast out, the illnesses that were healed or freedom that could be anyone's that asked. Many were rejecting Him, because they only knew captivity and anything outside that was frightening. They had their Savior right there and they pushed Him aside and chose to stay in their captivity.
Is this what it has come to? Do we stay in our captivity to the enemy because leaving it would bring fear, ridicule or sacrifice? Do we stay this way because in some ways we believe it is easier? I will tell you what, it may be easier to stay in captivity, but I also know that as long as we are enslaved we can never experience the true JOY of freedom. Whether it is the freedom that our soldiers fight for everyday or the freedom that Christ died to give us.
Are you living in freedom?
