Freedom?

freedom-available to some and an enigma to many...

...from whom and what? are we really free?

are we able to do as we please? do we bend

our knee to God or fame or self and spend

our life chasing a fruitless existence only to wake

and find our truth to be a lie? will we take

before being taken like Madoff? or sleep

to never be waken? Michael, what deep

pain were you attempting to escape in this life

and where are you now? what about the strife

and bitterness that breeds cancer and sadly

all the hatred that still lingers USA, while gradually

the freedoms that bring us together tear us apart?

are we really celebrating with a free heart?

tkaeu 07/09

We do have freedoms to celebrate! But we also have much work ahead...as a country and individually. You can't really change a country without people allowing their hearts to be changed. Some thoughts that come to mind:

Respecting other's differences

Allowing others the freedom to live life as they desire

The Golden Rule - treating others as we want to be treated

Yet it is sobering to then reflect on these statements as well:

Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32)

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet lose or forfeit his very self? (Luke 9:24-25)

...be transformed by the renewing of your mind... (Romans 12:2)

When I feel the most free...

being outdoors.

Maybe this is because it is also when I feel closest to God.