Christian Living

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True freedom always comes with a price
By Suzanne L. Brage

Throughout our nation's history, men and women have willingly and bravely engaged in freedom's battle. They have not only "stood in the gap," they have crawled, fought, bled, and died in the gap, volunteers in the fight for our freedom and security. I suppose I am like many Americans who, since September 11, now value their personal liberty and safety more, who take their good fortune in being born in this country for granted a little less. Yes, the struggle and cost of freedom—true American freedom, personal, political, and religious freedom—is great.

The images of proud, strong Navy Seals rescuing young American soldier, Jessica Lynch, moved us all. It was a display of all that is good, noble, and honorable. I was immediately convinced that I was witnessing a spiritual truth in action. The New Testament describes it this way: "The greatest love is shown when a person lays down his life for his friends" (John 15:13 TLB).

This great act of heroism, not unlike the hundreds played out following the events of 9/11 and the thousands that no one but God is aware of, led me to weep in humility and genuine gratefulness. The truth strikes my heart, that these men and women would do it all again for me if I were the one in need of rescuing, in need of help, in need of liberation.

And yet, one supreme price was paid, not for my political freedom or my physical safety…but that my spirit would be free—free to experience God in all His glory and life in all its fullness. Nothing can steal freedom of spirit. The peace, strength, and determination that come from God are the foundation of my life and the lives of many Americans. Our Founding Fathers believed that personal, political, and spiritual freedom were granted by God, Himself, and what God had ordained no man could or should destroy. No evil dictator, cruel tyrant, or incomprehensible tragedy can take away our inner freedom to know and love God, to walk in self-dignity and confidence, to choose to rise above any circumstance with strength and courage, the freedom to choose our spiritual state at any given time. These freedoms supercede political, social, and even physical conditions. This was a truth known and practiced by prisoners in Nazi Concentration and POW camps, by African-Americans during the time of slavery in our nation, by enslaved people of all races in other parts of the world, by every human being imprisoned or oppressed against their will. The truth is that no one can chain the inner spirit of a person. That "inner man" is free at any time to communicate with the Creator, to make peace with God, to pray without ceasing in the quiet, private part of the soul. May we not take this freedom—the freedom above all freedoms—for granted, for it too was paid for with a supreme sacrifice and high cost.

(Suzanne L. Brage is a staff writer and editor for an international ministry organization, songwriter, and freelancer in the Denver area.)

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