FREEDOM!

I was at a conference in Houston a few years ago and had the privilege of hearing a popular woman Bible study teacher and writer speak. She spoke on Galatians 5, "It was for freedom that Christ set us free." (verse 1, in part) The author of the text, Paul, wrote particularly about freedom from the law. Our salvation is free and is not obtained by following rules or by doing certain works. The speaker used the movie Braveheart as part of her illustration. Maybe you are familiar with the movie or the story of William Wallace, portrayed by Mel Gibson in the movie. William Wallace led rebels to fight for the freedom of Scotland from an oppressive English rule during the 13th century. During that time, the English did whatever they desired to their subjects in Scotland...tortured, raped, killed... At the end of the movie, William Wallace is headed to the guillotine and he cries out, "Freedom!" The speaker that day told the story and, likewise, cried out, "Freedom!" I'll never forget the sound of her voice as she cried out the word that is what all people desire.

People all over the world just want to be free. In America, we take our freedom for granted. I know I do. I've been to places in the world where people are not free. They live under oppressive governments that allow horrible things to happen to their subjects. Did you happen to see the movie Hotel Rwanda? It was hard for me to watch. It's the story of the Rwandan genocide of 1994. The Tutsis were killed by the hundreds of thousands by the Hutus. The movie is about one man's attempt to save as many as possible. If you saw the movie, you may recall that the people in the hotel thought and hoped that someone, the UN or another military presence, would see the suffering and come in a rescue them, to help them. Remember the part when they found out no one was coming...

That's what's happening in Darfur right now. The people are waiting for international action. There was a recent article about the horrible things that the children in Darfur are experiencing. Horrible is not even a strong enough word to describe it...I am sure my mind cannot comprehend the terror of their lives. They are tortured, raped, killed...

I hear lots of people crying out for there to be something done about the genocide in Darfur. I am absolutely in favor or rescuing as many as possible. This is what I don't get, however. There was a wretched ruler in Iraq who did horrible things to his subjects. They were tortured, raped, and killed. They were oppressed and lived in poverty while he lived a very lavish lifestyle. Do you suppose any of the people that were killed by the madman cried out, "Freedom!" as they were led to their death? Do you not think that the people desired to be out from under the oppressive rule? Do you think any of them were watching and waiting to see if someone, anyone, would come to their rescue? The world watched and we went in. If we leave now, there might possibly be genocide from warring factions just like in Africa. Maybe not in Iraq, but some places in the world see the prosperity of America and wonder why we don't send help. They covet what we have. To those that are given much, much is required.

When the world seems to be going nuts, I know where to find peace and freedom True freedom is found in Christ alone and He is the Author of peace.

In humble gratitude to be born an American and in service to the King Eternal,

Jeanette