The Ongoing Journey of Freedom

Freedom is not a state; it is an act. It is not some enchanted garden perched high on a distant plateau where we can finally sit down and rest. Freedom is the continuous action we all must take, and each generation must do its part to create an even more fair, more just society.  – John Lewis, Across That Bridge

This excerpt was mentioned in a recent Richard Rohr Daily Meditation. As I read it, it really spoke to me. Freedom may hold many different meanings for us, but essentially it is an action. Our ability to choose and take this action allows us the power to decide. It is easy in our country to take this right to action for granted. Many of us have not had the experience of not having freedom. This idea of it being an action makes us think differently of how it is maintained.

Freedom from Oxford Languages is defined as “the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.” In the Bible, we know it to be defined in many passages addressing it as freedom from sin through faith. In 2 Corinthians 3:17, it states “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Freedom.” In our faith and surrounded by our St. Alban’s family, we feel the importance of this blessing of freedom.

It is our duty to preserve this action and take steps to be proactive for this awesome right to be preserved. We should stand proud in knowing that we live in a place that freedom is familiar; however, let us not forget it is not familiar to all and with change, it makes it even more critical to act.

Ephesians 3:12 states “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” We take all our joys, cares, and woes to God through prayer and are blessed with the freedom to do so and thereby strengthen our faith. As we celebrate July 4^th, I pray for our freedom to flourish through our actions and those of others.