On the heels of Independence Day, we shift to consider what it means to be created free, not just the privilege of living that way. On Sunday, we’ll read from Romans 12, where Paul urges us not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This transformation allows us to discern and live out God’s vision for the world as we have been made good, pleasing, and perfect.
This freedom is a profound gift. It’s not merely the absence of constraints but the presence of divine purpose and guidance. We are called to break free from societal expectations and the pressures to conform, embracing the unique path God has set for each of us.
Building upon our prior consideration of authenticity, Franciscan theologian Richard Rohr reflects on this freedom, emphasizing that true liberation comes from living out our authentic selves as God intended. Rohr suggests that spiritual freedom involves letting go of the false self, the ego-driven identity that the world often imposes upon us, and instead embracing our true identity in Christ.
“We do not think ourselves into new ways of living, we live ourselves into new ways of thinking.”
-Richard Rohr
To be created free means understanding that our worth and purpose are defined by God, not by the world’s standards. It involves a daily renewal of our minds, seeking God’s truth and allowing it to transform our lives. This freedom empowers us to live boldly and compassionately, unburdened by the need for approval or fear of rejection.
May God’s peace find you today. -Pastor Peter
Let us pray… Creator God, help us embrace this freedom, to renew our minds continually. May we shed the constraints of worldly expectations and walk in the liberating truth of who we are, fully embracing the freedom we were created to experience. Amen.