freedom

Other than the first humans (out of Africa is the best evidence thus far), the story of humanity is one of groups of people taking over for other groups of people. Whether by conquest or treaty, no one lives in a place where someone else has not gone before. Family, tribe or nation, the human story is one of conquest and compromise.

Other than the first humans, no one can literally lay claim to the term, "native," at all.For example, there are no "native" Americans; more like "earlier" Americans being linked to emigrants from Mongolia.

What this means is we are not born free. We are beholden to others in order to survive. This begins in family, to be sure, but the continued dependence we have on each other makes the idea of a self-made man or woman foolish. We are not free, but dependant. We will either learn to work together or manipulate and overpower to get what we want. Cooperation or exploitation becomes the human response. Then how can we be free?

How can I be free if I am connected to others in a positive or negative way? Freedom becomes the ability to know what is good for me and good for others and do it. By human nature I cannot consistently live my life for the sake of others. By God’s power I can. The only true freedom is to know what is good and through the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit be able to do it.

We are free to live for others. Free to serve. Free to give privilege a rest. Through Jesus, we celebrate our own independence from being dependant on our human nature.

What does it mean to you to know that you are a slave to what you want, but free to live for the sake of others?