I want to break free!

Every now and then teenagers are heard complaining about their parents “These guys, will never give me the freedom, I deserve.” In an age where the definition of freedom is rapidly changing, I decided to set out on a mission to understand the word. This post is an output of that mission. In this, I decided to do an analysis of a few of the so called ‘freeing experiences’ available in the world.

Before I start, I think it would be better for all of us to agree on the purpose of freedom. The purpose of freedom, is to bring joy to our life, it is to comfort us, and to give us peace. The purpose of freedom is to make sure that our lives add colour to the world around us. Precisely the purpose of freedom is to keep us at peace with ourselves and our surroundings.

Now if we agree on this, let me get back to the so called ‘freeing experiences’ I mentioned before. Most of these experiences, never deal with God or spirituality, but more than often they deal with rebelling against God and Godly principles of living. Also most of these so called freeing experiences last for something like a few years to a few seconds.

Firstly I thought what were the often spoken about freeing experiences by my generation mates? I realized that it changed depending on the gender. While for the men, it was the consumption of alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes; for the women it came from flaunting their bodies, shopping, and relationships.

Everything I mentioned above, weirdly are addictive. Doesn’t this defeat the entire purpose of freedom? How can freedom and addiction come from the same thing I wonder? Many people have come to define freedom as, “having a good time.” But how can an addiction mean you are having a good time? Isn’t addiction a bondage, how can it free someone?!!

This means none of our freeing experiences are freeing us, rather they are addicting us. Our alcohol is an addiction, our drugs are an addiction, our cigarette smoking is an addiction, shopping is an addiction, trying to look ‘oh-so-cool’ is an addiction, and more than anything for many of us the search for permanent, meaningful relationship is an addiction. We are slaves to all of these, we are not free. Our so called ‘freeing experiences’ bind us and blind us from true freedom.

Isn’t freedom about living life with a clear conscience that comes from the forgiveness of sins, than living life in the guilt of sin? Isn’t freedom about enjoying the blessings of God, than dying in the poison of the devil? Isn’t freedom more about sleeping without a care, because we know our God cares, than sleeping with a mind consumed by worry?

We can claim of a million ‘freeing experiences’ but none that can match the freedom we have in Christ. Because when He gave himself up on the cross, He left for us a way of life that leads us to true freedom. There is no better way of putting it than putting it Gods words itself,Micah 6:8(Bible) “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”


Freedom is freely available with the One who bought it!