If You Love Something, Set It Free

What I'm about to share with you is nothing new. The Bible even tells us "there is nothing new under the sun." But a thought profoundly struck me today. People, Christian and not, often get angry at what God "allows." The evils and hurts of this world often are more than we can sometimes stomach.


The truth is, God has given us a free will. We can choose to seek Him and His ways or not. Sometimes when people choose the "not", it manifests itself in ugly ways. I've often contemplated why God gave us a choice to love Him or not, to follow Him or not, to obey Him or not.


Being a parent has opened my eyes in countless ways to how God must see us, must love us as our Heavenly Father. When I discipline my children and it hurts both me and them, I know how God must feel when he corrects us. When I see my child in pain from a shot, but know it's for their better good, I know how God must feel when he allows us to go through a painful life experience for our better good.


And today the concept of free will really took hold. My two year old daughter is a smart, witty and trying little girl, but her spirit and spunk is something I love so much about her. Yet, she is using every ounce of patience I have some days! I've often looked at people who had very obedient kids. Not just good kids, but almost robotic kids. Honestly, it made me more okay with the fact that I have strong willed kids! Here's why:


I don't want to just beat my kids into submission until there is no longer any semblance left of their beautiful, God-given traits. I don't want a child who tells me they love me because they've been told to or does nice things for me just because it's their duty. I want a child who has a choice, a free will.


Did you ever think that maybe God is the same? He wants us to CHOOSE to love him, honor him, give him good gifts and every part of ourselves, to willing love Him. When we tell God thank you, because we are truly thankful and not just because we are required to, it must be sweet music in His ears. A concept we know from raising our own children. Telling your child "say thank you" and them saying it, sure isn't the same as that sweet unprompted "thank you, mama!"


Sure free will and the resulting sin that God has allowed sometimes sucks eggs, but aren't you thankful He gave us a choice. So when the weight of sin and evil in this world seems to much to bear, tell God you are thankful for the choices He allows you to make and thankful that He gave you the choice to choose Him willing....



If you love something, set it free; if it comes backs it's yours, if it doesn't, it never was. -Richard Bach