I think a lot of people really love babies because they seem to have so much freedom. I mean, I really love how free Asher is. Â He can spit up on people, and they don’t care. He cries when they walk up, and they just think “shame, he needs a nap.” He poops in the car when we’re hurrying somewhere, and who can blame him? We were at a special baptismal service with about 150 people when he let one rip BIG STYLE a couple months ago, and not one person was offended. However, one guy a couple rows up was shaking uncontrollably trying to keep himself from bursting out laughing. I mean, look at this face — is this the face of responsibility?
I think, though that there’s a deeper freedom we long for as human beings, and it’s not just the freedom to poop in public. Martin Luther King, Jr. and millions of other folks, have quoted Jesus as saying “The truth will set you free.” Â But I don’t think some knowledge of the truth will automatically, magically change your life. And I don’t think I’m disagreeing with Scripture here.
Jesus actually said, (talking to the Jews who had believed him) “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”(John 8:31 & 32) So essentially, it’s not just about me seeking to know the Truth in order to find the ability to walk with freedom every day.
The Amplified Bible says it this way: “If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples.” I easily get caught up in the Western way of thinking, assuming that gaining knowledge is going to bring about transformation in me. But it’s actually in the application of that knowledge that I will really find the kind of freedom Jesus was talking about. If I do what He said to do, and only say the things He would want me to say, then I’m His follower, and His truth is going to change me.
In the meantime, I look forward to enjoying Asher’s temporary ‘freedoms’ for a while longer. But I hope to train him to know the true freedom that comes from doing what Jesus said.
The Sermon in a Nutshell: Doing the truth brings freedom. I suppose the meaning and significance of freedom is a topic for another day. But in the meantime, don’t worry. I won’t be pooping in church anytime soon.
xCC
I create resources to help people find deeper, more meaningful relationships with God through pursuing, pondering, and prayer. The "Shop" link above will take you to the home of many of the lovely resources I’ve created to help you keep walking one day deeper with Jesus.
This is great. An awesome dose of truth that made me smile a lot!
It’s interesting… I think St Augustine said (something along the lines of) “I hear, I do and then I know.” It’s strange but oddly works. The Hebrew understanding of knowledge was that it travels not from your head to your heart, but rather from your heart to your head.
Great bloggin’ Mrs Collie. I look forward to having you guys home soon.
When Samantha was about 4 weeks or so, we were at GCF. It was the first time we had her and were taking communion. I had in my mind that this was an extremely special moment. All nostalgic, I held my little girl and just took in the moment. Then when Mike said to drink the juice, she let one rip that could be heard for at least four rows.
I could hardly control my laughter. I knew that she was not going to be one to take life too seriously. Chris was trying to tell me to stop laughing so hard, but I couldn’t help it because two teenagers in front of us heard it too and they were laughing. So much for a holy moment. Or was that what made it a holy moment? At any rate, it’s a moment I won’t soon forget.
Ahhhh to walk in that kind of freedom!