Free to Be...

Whom the Son sets free is free, indeed (John 8:36). Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17).

These two scriptures speak to my ongoing pursuit of freedom--not necessarily a freedom from something, but more like a freedom to something. I've been riding this freedom train for many years, never quite sure where it was headed, only knowing that I was supposed to get on board.

Ultimately, through prayer and the support of my wonderful pastor/husband, I have come to understand that the freedom I desire is the freedom to be. The majority of my life is spent doing, but deep inside me is a yearning to have more time for being. Unfortunately, this treadmill we call life is naturally contrary to being and is fully centered on doing. "How are you doing?" we often ask one another. "What do you do for a living?" we inquire.

I remember spending summers down south with my grandmother who always made sure we had plenty to do. I realized that, in her mind, not constantly doing something was equated with laziness. But, I thought the whole point of being sent down to "the country" for the summer was to experience the beauty of the outdoors--walking along dusty country trails to visit relatives "up the road a piece," gazing at the star-studded pitch-black midnight sky unblemished by the glare of city lights, and marvelling at lightning bugs gliding through the air in a twinkling ballet.

I thought visits to grandma's house was all about gently swaying on a creaky wooden swing and waving at the cars and trucks passing by, making friends with the farm animals (and refusing to eat them when they became dinner), and going to the "country store" for the best ice cream known to mankind.

The fact that I can remember those details so vividly is a hint that, in spite of all the doing I was charged with during the summer, I still found ways to slip in being. While the chores were good for bolstering a sound work ethic, the moments of being are what strengthened my relationship with God and my "joie de vivre," or joy of living. When I walked along those dusty trails that my ancestors feet wore into existence, when I oohed and awed at the lightning bugs and the midnight sky, when I waved hello to everyone who drove by whether I knew them or not, I was experiencing God's presence and taking in glimpses of the wonderful tapestry of life that unites God's creation in ways that could only be appreciated by being in the moment.

Each day, in the midst of all my doing, I now look forward to being. I no longer ask the question, "What I am placed here to do," but instead I ask God, "Who am I?" That's a much more fitting question considering that I'm created in the image of the great I AM.

Once I fully come into the realization and actualization of all that I am in God, the doing will flow more naturally and effectively and I will finally be free to BE. Until then, I will enjoy the ride as the freedom train winds its way through life. Anyone else want to get on board?

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen