Freedom is something those of us living in America think about and here a lot about at this time of year. July 4th is called Independence Day as many Americans reflect back and celebrate the freedoms we enjoy. Yet, there is an even greater day of Independence for those of us in Christ- it is the day we receive Christ as our Savior and are freed from the power of sin and death.
This freedom does not mean that life will be perfect. In fact, there are times it is far from that. Freedom in Christ means that we can be set free from the things that keep us from living into the Kingdom of God and all that God desires us to be.
As I began writing this reflection, I was at Joni and Friends Family Retreat in Murrieta, CA. This year’s theme is Be Free. It is such an appropriate theme as so often individuals who struggle with the effects of a disability, whether it be their own disability or that of their child, do not live in freedom. They understand all of the things in this world that keep them from being free. The pressures of daily therapy sessions, school challenges, challenges gaining access to church and many other things often keep them from being able to focus on their Spiritual growth.
The entire retreat provided opportunities for the children, youth, parents, and adults with special needs to be able to focus on Being Free, not just from sin but from all of the things that bind them up emotionally as well. We can all make a list of these things: fear, anger, bitterness, un-forgiveness, jealousy, envy, discontent, denial, depression, addiction, abuse etc. When these feelings and emotions are not given over to Jesus to let Him bring freedom, they will keep an individual from truly living into the Kingdom of God as Jesus desires. It is my hope and prayer that all who attended this year’s retreat were able to go home having left at least one thing at the foot of the cross so they can truly Be Free.
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Freedom” 2 Corinthians 3:17
juliekeithsreflections 
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