“Freedom From or Freedom For”

Dear Beloveds,

I’ve long thought about freedom from dual perspective of what I learned to call “freedom from” and “freedom for.” The “freedom from” perspective is one, I think most people associate with the concept of freedom. Freedom from is about lack of restraint, regulation, restriction. No one or nothing makes any demands on you or forces you in some way to do something you don’t want to do or to keep you from something you do want or do want to do. This concept of freedom is usually connected to a legal, political or cultural rights view of life. You have the freedom to vote, freedom of religion, freedom of association, freedom from
oppression.

There is another way to approach the idea of freedom – What are you “free for”? This way of understanding freedom sees freedom as an inherent gift. You are free. How will you use your free will, your freedom of choice, your freedom of belief? This way of looking at freedom can present a paradox. Given your freedom, what regulations, values, standards, and methods of accountability do you self-impose and why? During the month of June, I invite you to explore the idea of freedom from many angles, such as freedom of religion, freedom of choice, the free mind, spiritual freedom, and the free church.

Shine on,
Rev. Tony