My Free* experience is now done. The group, that is--the freedom part is taking root. We Christ followers here in Cincinnati engaged in a city wide study/journey exploring what it would mean to be free in Christ. Thousands of us, including many who are not yet Christ followers, met in small groups throughout the city to unpack what freedom looks like in our lives. It was a good ride or shall I say "is a good ride".
For me I can say without reservation that this experience reinforced and confirmed some of the thoughts and issues I had been dealing with in my personal life for some 6 months prior. The group and the journal simply helped me organize my thoughts and helped steer the execution of chain breaking. This was truly an exercise of self discovery.
At times the experience was harsh. To fill in answers in the weekly journal only to turn the page and read a description that painted me as a big jerk was just rude. But needed. That is the beauty of the Church, to be surrounded by a people who want God's best for you and are willing to help you receive whatever it is.
As a result, I believe I am as close to contentment with my life as I have ever been. You know the most important thing I learned? I discovered who it is that creates the most confusion and discord in my life. It's me. I do. In my search for greatness I have ignored the fact that God's criteria for greatness is not my own. One size fits all does not apply here. The rejection and unlove that I often feel is from the lie that somehow I have to earn that love. I think Johnny Lee was onto something when he sang "Looking for love in all the wrong places...".
Freedom then means (in my life's context) pursuing greatness with the resources that God has already given me. He has given me myself. That sounds ridiculous, I know. Sound like a tag line promoting the brand "selfishness". What I mean is that God already thinks I am great and I do not have to prove it. So now instead of trying to out hard work everyone around me for some pie in the sky achievement, all I have to do is use the skills and talents I have been given for purposes that God lays out. That's it.
Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. --Paul (Galatians 1:10)
