Words in black on white pages. Aren’t those that are found in the Bible much more than that? Living words—that’s what Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples, called them. And yet, I read them, and too often treat them, like other ordinary words. They roll right on by in my mind. Sometimes, with God’s help, I catch a glimpse of their life, their depth. I want them to mean more to me than mere words on a page. I want to get them down into my life, live them out. The problem is, doing that isn’t all that automatic . . . or easy.
For instance, take Jesus’ words that are the inspiration for the title of this site.
So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. John 8:36 (NLT)
Living free.
That freedom Jesus has for each of us can feel far out of reach, especially when:
. . . you walk down the hall at school, come up behind your friends, and overhear them talking about how they want to ditch you
. . . you head downstairs and find Mom and Dad in the kitchen looking really upset, and they tell you they’re getting a divorce
. . . you just heard your best friend was killed in a car accident
. . . you’re huddled into the corner of your bedroom listening to scary sounds coming through the walls . . . slurred, raised voices and things crashing and breaking
. . . the anxiety and pain you’re experiencing is so intense, you feel the only way you can bring relief is by cutting or burning yourself
. . . you feel trapped by alcohol, drugs, or other addictions
. . . you can’t go through even one day at school or work without feeling pressured to be someone you don’t want to be
. . . you appear on the outside like you’re confident, but inside you feel like you’re barely holding everything together
A few of those are too familiar to me. In those moments, I’ve felt like the ground is giving away and I’m about to be swallowed up in something I never signed on for. Just as I’m about to be sucked under, I reach for the edges of that freedom Jesus talks about. I can’t . . . get . . . to it.
Then God comes near. He has never failed to bring his freedom within reach.
