The Freedom Chat

One day Jesus and I talked about freedom.

"Jesus, why is it that I can't get free of that one thing that I keep giving to you?" (I said that as if there were only one, we both knew that wasn't the case.)

He paused to read my face and my heart (he's good at that), "There are two reasons," he said calmly.

I waited for him to tell me so I could make a note on my spirit of both of them and run home and be set free. I kept waiting. He nodded to me signaling he wanted me learn to read his face and heart too. So I tried (I'm not so good at that).

"I think the first reason is that I'm not passionate enough yet. Freedom happens as a result of passion and effort." My first attempt earned me no response. Quiet.

I continued, "The second reason is because I'm too weak. Freedom comes to the army that will enter the fight, the warrior that can handle a sword, or the strategist who can outthink his captor."

I continued, "I can see it now, I'm not fully free because I lack passion and strength. You're right, I haven't really tried hard enough." I finished my sermon to myself and was a little proud that I was learning to read the face and heart of Jesus.

He turned toward me on the park bench and leaned in really close and softly said, "I don't know if it would be possible for you to be more wrong."

Ya, did not expect that.

He continued, "Don't you remember me saying, 'The truth will set you free?'"

I thought it was a test, "Yes, I do. And the truth is I'm not passionate enough and I'm too weak to be free. Right?"

He shook his head. "The truth isn't someTHING - the truth is SomeONE. Freedom isn't what you do in front of me, it's what I do in you. David, the problem isn't that you are too lethargic or weak, the problem is that you use both of those things as an excuse to remain in bondage."

This conversation hadn't gone the direction I had planned in my head. "I guess I have a way to go in reading your face and heart, don't I?"

Jesus smiled and nodded. "David, you want to be free to feel free, I want you to be free because I am, and I dwell in you. I am the truth that sets you free, not your passion or strength. Your issue is one of filling and following, that's both the source and direction of passion and strength - Me."

He stood up, "No, you're not passionate or strong enough. That's because you can't be either of those in yourself, I made you that way. But, that's not why you're not free. You're not free because you haven't understood that I... am and I live in you."

We headed back to the trail to continue our walk. I knew this conversation wasn't over. I also knew freedom was closer than I thought.