Free To Be Me

All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. 

 1 Corinthians 6:12

Mastered – What’s possible in your life?  What are the “yet-to-be” conditions, dreams or hopes?  And what lies on the other side of the coin?  What might the dark side of your life look like?  Imagine it all, the good and the bad.  It’s all possible.

But does it enslave you?  Let’s take a look.

It’s possible for me to become wealthy (or wealthier, as the case may be).  I can live my life as though my financial well-being is up to me.  I can choose to accumulate for fear of loss.  I can let the need for money become the air I breathe.  Then, of course, I will not be able to give cheerfully, generously or at cost to myself.  If I am a slave to economics, I will stumble over the need of others when I believe I don’t have enough for me.  I will hear myself saying, “I can’t give right now.  Maybe later, when things are more secure.” 

And it’s possible I might become poor.  All of the above still applies.

It’s possible for me to become powerful.  I could have great influence.  I might become famous.  I could learn the necessity of relationship manipulation in the human community.    I’ll need to say the right things, be seen in the right places, know the right people.  If  I don’t make careful choices, I lessen my chances.  Jesus’ mission statement (see Luke 4:18) won’t be my mission statement, unless, of course, there is something to gain.  I will hear myself saying, “I can’t go right now.  Maybe later when I have established my position.”

And it’s possible that I might lose my position.  All of the above still applies.

It’s possible for me to become attractive.  I could work out harder.  I could see a surgeon.  I could dress more expensively.  I could practice the fine art of enticement.  I could be sexier.  I could spend the inheritance I received from God here and now.  I could live with a temporal focus.  Why not?  The whole world does just that, and rewards those who do.  Why should I be an outsider?  I could be in step, in fashion and in vogue.  People would love me.  Of course, I will have a lot of trouble with “the least of these.”  They don’t count, especially if it interrupts my road to respect.  And I will choke on “I never knew you.”  But why think about it now?  I’ve got time.

And it’s possible that I might become ugly.  All of the above still applies.

Until we know who we are, we are not free to be how we are.

The most dangerous slavery is the slavery that convinces you you’re free.