Church

CAPA Corner: FREEDOM

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    The two year old boy stood anxiously by the edge of the pool looking intently at the vast expanse of blue water.  Just a couple of feet past the edge of the pool, standing waist deep in the water, the young boy’s  father was urging the youngster to jump into his out stretched arms.  Looking at the water, his father’s outstretched arms and the seemingly large chasm between them, the youngster hesitated, not sure if it was safe to leap from the pool’s edge to which his little body seemed so firmly bound.  Finally, the longing to take a leap, experience freedom from the pool’s edge and enjoy the pool’s watery pleasure took over.  With a squeal, that contained both joy and hesitant anticipation, the youngster leaped and found himself in the arms of his assuring father!  Soon he had been taught to swim and was experiencing the joy and freedom of splashing around in the pool’s clear blue water. 
    “I want my freedom!”  I often would have young people repeat this phrase as they would argue their reason for wanting to take part in a certain activity or event from which they were being prevented from taking part.  I would often tell these young people, who were in the throes of their quest for freedom, true freedom would be granted as they showed more responsibility.  Then I would add, true freedom could only come as they learned to depend upon God!  This is true for all of us!  The more you lose control and let God take control, the more freedom you can experience.
    Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (NKJV) However, to many, trusting in God is like the youngster standing on the edge of the pool.  Christ stands there with his outstretched arms, that were stretched on the cross, urging us to take a leap of faith.  The pool, of the life he offers, seems so inviting!  Yet we seem hopelessly bound to the edge of the life we are experiencing.   To leap means to lose contact with the pool’s edge of life but to also find ourselves in the reassuring arms of our Savior!  
    Jesus said, “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed!” Learning to swim has its challenges but it brings the ability to be free from the edge!  This independence day, as you celebrate our freedom, take a leap towards your true freedom by leaping into the arms of God!  Soon you can experience the joy of swimming in the abundant waters of life he has in store for you! 
Ron Erickson Sr.
Future Hope Ministry
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