Are we really free?

How many times do we consider ourselves free, here in America? How many times, in school, work, play, family, among friends, etc, do we thank God for our "freedoms?" Freedom to work, to worship, to vote, to eat, to access healthcare, to have education, to benefit from protection under the law. Do all Americans benefit from these freedoms? No, they don't. But even more, are we really free to make our own choices, or are we constantly trying to keep up in a materialistic, consumer-driven, debt-ridden society? To buy the latest fashions and bask in the compliments of friends, or even better, strangers. To find that job with the great salary so we can buy what we want, go where we want, live where we want, and be "comfortable." In America, we associate "freedom" with financial security. I constantly find myself telling Tucker, "When we have money, can we do this/buy this/go there/support this ministry/adopt..." and so on. And, he gently reminds me, "What if we don't 'have money' in the classic American sense, Erika." 

So what if this mentality is flawed? What if in our race for consumption and more materialism, we're missing the point of true freedom, freedom to take blessings or hardships from the Lord's hand and devote them to his causes. I read something the other day about a family who has adopted 10 children. This couple is in their late 50s, and they should be close to retiring, to spending money on themselves after years of working hard. (Of course I can't remember where I read this posting) But the mother wrote something that challenged me so deeply. She said, "If you're spending more on massages, lattes, vacations, fashion, furniture" etc than you are on supporting those in need, you need to reassess your priorities. Apparently, John Piper says something similar in his book Don't Waste Your Life but I haven't read it. And the icing on the cake for this thought process was during my new teacher orientation the other day where all upper school teachers sat around and tried to articulate how we can teach our students at a Christ-centered preparatory school that God's version of success differs from that of the world. It's not that being wealthy is somehow sinful, or that striving in school and work is flawed, or even that taking a family vacation means you're being a poor steward of God's resources. Instead, it's deciding to follow God and his desires for how he's blessed you rather than running after yourself and the purposes you ordain vital. In Galations 5:13-14, Paul reminded us of Christian freedom: "13For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 

What a challenge. This idea is the complete opposite goal of what society, and many Christians, live out. Imagine how we could change the world for God's kingdom if we strive to devote our resources and talents to his purposes instead of our own. The adoptive mom's blog (so sorry I can't link it in) reminded me that this doesn't just mean "tithing" faithfully or giving a little extra beyond tithe. She called tithing a "no brainer," yet unfortunately for many Christians, tithing is just too hard to wrap our brains and hearts around. 

I have no answers on how to "simply" implement this radical financial and stewardship revolution, because it's fighting against every fiber of our self-absorbed being. But I will leave you with a blog posting that I have linked here about our perceived American freedom versus the captivity of young children in Uganda. When reading about children being imprisoned, neglected, isolated, and attempting suicide as young as 10 just to end their misery, I can't help but wonder, how am I using my freedom? To pursue my own ends, or to love my fellow humans, even all the way in Africa?