What exactly is freedom? As Americans, we coin the word freedom very loosely and use it as our badge of honor with other countries. Freedom can be defined in various ways depending on the context it is being spoken about. In the past few years, freedom has morphed into a type of individualism for self-expression and condemnation of others. The fruit of true freedom liberates and casts out all fears. When we no longer have anything to fear, we no longer condemn one another and no longer despise one other (BFG:72 Freedom). Instead, we will unite in thoughts and actions. Freedom does not hold us captive to our weaknesses but sets them free.
Bridging the Gap: Speaking a universal language
Meditate
Redemptive Suffering
2 Corinthians 1:5, 6
For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.
Some may say the most challenging part of living is saying goodbye, whether it is to people, places we visit, things we love, or even habits we are attached to. Knowing everything has its season and purpose, we are stuck with the reality of what to do next. The void that enters our heart is painful. Our focus on the experience of what was taken away or lost keeps us bewildered and disillusioned. Moving forward seems like a long and arduous journey and we rather sit in deep sorrow instead of walking through the sorrow to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Moving beyond the hurt is what challenges us in life and brings about changes in our lives. To be fully human is to experience love, pain, and joy. It can happen all at once or in steps or phases. Learning to let go gives you the freedom to choose how you want to live life. In choosing, you are empowered to conquer fear in all forms. Without fear, we gain self-awareness, contentment, and love for others.
As you listen to the words of this song, “The Commission” what is it that God wants to say after the pain, hurt and sorrow you experience? What has the pain commissioned you to do? Will you say yes and carry out the task of passing the healing onto someone else?
Prayers
May you be granted the grace to speak of God’s healing power to those around you by embracing the past pains, sorrows and hurt and uniting it with the Cross so you and others can be liberated from the pain.
To remember what we learned, we must always write it, share it and teach it to someone else, so it becomes concrete in us.
Journal Tips:
Find a quiet place, light a scented candle, and meditate and reflect on the challenges that you have struggled with lately. Have you given it over to God so the pain can be redemptive suffering instead of letting the pain go to waste? Start listing the people, things, places, and habits you need to let go of to find freedom. The “ Taking Up the Cross” page is a great place to do this.
“ I want to suffer and even rejoice for love, for this is my way of scattering flowers. Never a flower shall I find, but its petals shall be scattered for you, and all the while I will sing; yes, always sing, even when gathering roses in the midst of thorns; and the longer and sharper the thorns may be, the sweeter shall be my song!”
-St. Therese of Lisieux, The Story of a Soul
Northernstar Journal
YOU become what you were meant to become and can do the impossible, because impossible is really saying "I'M POSSIBLE"