Free at last

I welcome constructive criticism. Being told where I am weak helps me to know where to improve. Hearing about my negatives informs me of how I can be better next time. However, if I didn’t specifically ask for criticism, oh boy, you better watch out.

If I ask, then cool. But if I didn’t, then I don’t want to hear it. Probably not many would. I know I don’t, you probably don’t, and for sure the ancient Israelites didn’t.

“What do you mean, free? We aren’t and never have been slaves to anyone!” Uh, yeah you are and yeah you have. It doesn’t feel nice to be offered something out of the blue that we don’t think we need, or to be told we’re failing when we are doing our best, or to have our insecurities pointed out when there is no way, no how we could ever be insecure. Oh wait.

Jesus knows this condition that we have, the need to feel stronger, better, more righteous than we are. Jesus knows our insecurities and the lies we believe because of it. Jesus knows the sinful condition we have that leads us to think that we need to earn our salvation, and he sets us free. We will always be eternally and unconditionally loved.

God, may we see and feel the freedom found in your love and grace. Amen. — NF