FREEDOM

In honor of February being Black Heritage Month, I've been reading the autobiography of Frederick Douglass.  His vivid descriptions of the horrors of slavery laid the vital background for communicating just how precious freedom was to him.

Not only did he endure the physical and psychological cruelty of his various masters, but he lived the early part of his life knowing that he was a "slave for life," with a sense of hopelessness that his destiny would ever be different.  Yet, he pursued freedom with great discipline, learning to read and write and educating himself, with a dream that one day he might be a free man.

As we know, he eventually did gain freedom and went on to be a great influence in the anti-slavery movement leading up to the civil war and beyond  He used his freedom, not just for his own benefit, but for the cause of bringing an end to the institution of slavery in our country.

His life story has inspired me to think about freedom and to question how we who live in freedom interpret its meaning.

I've heard people say, "My goal in life is freedom!"  My immediate thought is, "Freedom from what?"  As I've listened to their comments, I've realized that what they mean is they want freedom from the restraints of other people.  They don't want to be captive to other people's schedules, demands, or even perhaps their needs.

When I was teaching school and speaking to a student about his misconduct, I was surprised by his disrespectful and cocky comment, "This is a free country!"  He thought he could do whatever he wanted and no one had the right to make him do anything different.  His definition of freedom was that he didn't have to obey the rules!  We see this philosophy lived out every day in our society.

I've also heard people define freedom as "having the liberty to be the master of one's own destiny."  In essence they're saying that freedom is being free from God -- free from the guilt that they sense when they acknowledge there is a God -- free to live life for their own self-gratification, be it wealth, fame, love, success, or even philanthropic or humanitarian works done for their own sense of self-worth and significance.

In essence, all of these people define "freedom" to mean that they can do whatever they want without any accountability or guilt attached to their actions.  

I found it interesting that in his journey toward freedom, Mr. Douglass had a different perspective.  He not only found freedom from the bondage of slavery, but also spiritual freedom from the bondage of "self."  In his book My Bondage and My Freedom, after being told about his need to be reconciled to God, he states, "I cannot say that I had a very distinct notion of what was required of me; but one thing I knew very well -- I was wretched, and had no means of making myself otherwise...I was, for weeks, a poor, broken-hearted mourner, traveling through the darkness and misery of doubts and fears.  I finally found that change of heart which comes by 'casting all one's care' upon God, and by having faith in Jesus Christ, as the Redeemer, Friend, and Savior of those who diligently seek Him.  After this, I saw the world in the new light.  I seemed to live in a new world, surrounded by new objects, and to be animated by new hopes and desires."  (chapter 12)

And so, Fredrick Douglass, in the midst of his yearning for freedom from slavery, encountered the Living God and was granted a far greater freedom -- spiritual freedom.  This not only brought him strength in the midst of the great sorrow and trials of slavery, but it shaped his life as a free man as well.

PERSPECTIVE

So often when I read the morning paper, I come away feeling the weight of a broken world.  But today I was greeted by a refreshing article with a different perspective.

Featured on the front page of the Chicago Tribune was the story of Sue and Ben Erickson, a young couple whose recently born baby has a rare, aggressive, cancerous brain tumor.  Even before their son was born, an ultrasound revealed that there was excessive cerebral fluid on his brain so they were preparing themselves for the possibility that their son could have physical or mental disabilities.  The article states that they “quickly accepted that God must have a special plan.”

When the true nature of the abnormality was revealed after birth and they realized the chances their son would live were very slim, they were faced with a choice.  They could take their baby home, love him, and wait for the inevitable; or they could opt for treatment with chemotherapy, which has had mixed success with infants and might even hasten his death.  After considering their options, they chose to pursue treatment.

The article went on to say, “The couple rallied, found support from their families and friends and chose to view the daunting journey ahead as a blessing.”  (italics mine)

“Incredible!” I thought.  Sue and Ben were able to look beyond their immediate circumstances which seemed like a curse, and see the potential for blessing. This brought to mind an ancient Chinese proverb that provides insight into this very topic.

THE LOST HORSE

as told by Joel Ben Izzy*

Long ago in a village in northern China, there lived a man who owned a magnificent horse.  So beautiful was this horse that people came from miles around just to admire it.  They told him he was blessed to own such a horse.

“Perhaps,” he said.  “But what seems like a blessing may be a curse.”

One day, the horse ran off.  It was gone.  People came to say how sorry they were for his bad luck.

“Perhaps,” he said.  “But what seems like a curse may be a blessing.”

A few weeks later, the horse returned.  It was not alone.  It was followed by twenty-one wild horses. By the law of the land, they became his property. He was rich with horses.

His neighbors came to congratulate him on his good fortune.  “Truly,” they said, “you have been blessed.” 

“Perhaps.  But what seems like a blessing may be a curse.”

Shortly after that his son -- his only son -- tried to ride one of the wild horses.  He was thrown from it and broke his leg.  The man’s neighbors came to say how sorry they were.  Surely, he had been cursed.

“Perhaps,” he said. “But what seems like a curse may be a blessing.”

A week later, the king came through that village, drafting every able-bodied young man for a war against the people of the north.  It was a horrible war.  Everyone who went from that village was killed.  Only that man’s son survived because of his broken leg.

To this day, in that village they say, “What seems like a blessing may be a curse.  What seems like a curse may be a blessing.”

As I thought about this paradox, the words of the Apostle Paul to the Romans came to mind: “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” **

“That’s it, “ I thought.  What we think of as “good” isn’t necessarily what God considers “good” because He has a higher purpose in mind.  When I consider who God is, that He possesses the highest and purest form of goodness that exists, and that His predisposition toward those who love Him is one of love and goodwill, I can trust Him with my life.

It is apparent that Sue and Ben Erickson are viewing the definition of “good” from God’s perspective rather than mankind’s perspective.  In believing that God has a plan, they are yielding to His authority and are willing to accept the outcome, no matter how difficult that might be. 

I’m also reminded of Jesus’ words after he healed the man who had been blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?  Jesus answered, It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents, but it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in him.” ***

This journey of blessing through which Sue and Ben Erickson and their son are traveling isn’t over yet.  In fact, it’s just beginning.  We can all watch their journey unfold through their Facebook page, which according to the newspaper report has already had nearly 150,000 views.  This little child’s life, even though it may be cut short, is already having more impact on this world than someone who may have lived to be 100!

You can access a video of Sue and Ben and their son, Matthew, at  www.chicagotribune.com/babychemo.

*Taken from Joel ben Izzy’s book The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness,  pg. 11-12.

**Romans 8:28

***John 9:1-3