“Freedom” is a word that we are so accustomed to hearing in American culture. We grow up knowing its definition almost by osmosis. Our entire country lives under a banner of freedom with a rich history of those who have fought for it, and yet I wonder if we indeed know what it means to live free. We live in an instant gratification society, a generation that is not familiar with hardship, pushing us to live out OUR truth. Is it possible that freedom is becoming fluid, ambiguous, even threatened? This isn’t a political blog, but it would be a great disservice to ignore the impact that our social, economic, and political culture has had on the way we are living out our freedom. So what freedom are you living? All history and politics aside, what does your life say about living free?
What would an outside observer learn of freedom by watching your life unfold?
We were designed for freedom. From the dawn of our existence there has been a deep yearning, a desperate thirst for it. At the very core of our identity and as a part of this human race, there is a genetic drive to discover it in full. We spend our lives chasing it, this freedom that is not a license to do whatever we want but is ours as a privilege and gift from the Divine. It is a place where we live unencumbered. Disentangled. Liberated. In it we experience a release from the bondage of our appetites, circumstances, and emotions. No longer controlled by our unhealthy behaviors.
As much as it is part of our original design and human birthright to dwell in and possess this kind of freedom, there is a catch. All freedom comes at a cost. What is this cost? Grief. The road to freedom is paved with grief and not all who walk it will experience the freedom they long for. For some travelers, this will be an easy task while others wearily shuffle along, their gaze focused on the bricks below, swallowed up by sorrow. The only way for every warrior to access freedom is to be present in the sorrow by choosing to keep taking the next step forward however small it may be, eyes transfixed on the hope before them. Hope for a better future because of the suffering. These travelers are fully aware that the completion of this freedom may not be realized in their lifetime, yet they live out their personal freedom daily by pressing on for the benefit of those who come after.
To be free, you must make the choice to grieve. Freedom begins at the point where we grieve our current state and our greatest loss. This grief will bring with it a mental suffering and emotional weight over what you are leaving behind in order to pursue freedom. For some of us, this is too sobering to entertain. Living free for generational change means grieving the hurt, abuse, and bondage of the past, but, my friend, if you had never suffered, would you even be reading this post? Would you even consider sacrificing what you are about to, for the future you? There is great freedom just within your reach, on the other side of the hardest choice you might have to make.
While freedom requires us to step into grief, it is completely unattainable unless we also choose to step out of that grief into hope. We will remain stuck in great sorrow unless we look past the high price to the generations ahead. Freedom is SO much bigger than you and I. It is generational. Future lives will be greatly impacted by what you choose today. With freedom comes great sorrow and loss, but also immense joy and hope. It gives us a future and a new way of seeing the world.
Perhaps at this point, you regret reading this post. These are uncomfortable thoughts but it’s time to get comfortable in the uncomfortable. It’s time to make the choice to step into grief even though we are surrounded by a culture that doesn’t nurture or support grief well. That is why we are here. Freedom coaching gives you the opportunity to visualize your future, experience support as you step into grief, and rejoice in hope as you conquer the necessary things for your own freedom and that of the next generation.
Are you ready to make the choice to step into freedom?
Book your first Freedom Check for FREE with discount code NEWBIE. Get to know our coaches, and drop the pin on which area of your life needs freedom.
Get away with us and get free! A weekend for women to discover healing and freedom in the forest town of McCall, Idaho. Receive $50 off if you register before August 1st.
Related Posts
