Recently, we celebrated Independence Day.
There were parades, fireworks, grilling and other activities that many enjoyed. If a survey were taken where celebrants were asked what they were celebrating and what was the occasion; for the most part the answers would be the same. ‘We are celebrating our freedom and independence as a country.’ but what exactly does that mean in practical terms? Freedom from what, for what and from who are the real questions. More important is the question of what freedom means to you.
In the final analysis perhaps real freedom is the opportunity to exercise and demonstrate our faith and beliefs. Freedom to exercise faith is powerful in that our faith expressions (regardless of our faith tradition or the absence of one), give us the set of core values that frame how we live.
We enjoy greater freedom than we realize and are not bound or rendered helpless despite the challenges of political or social dictates. The absence of physical, social or political freedom does not necessarily take away our faith. Perhaps as a result of faith, we are able to enjoy more powerful expressions of freedom.
While many a person may be or may have been in captivity or under suppression of another group, their faith is what sustained them through such challenges.The faith demonstrated by Anne Frank in the face of suppression triumphed.
The faith demonstrated by Dr. Martin Luther King in the face of racial hostility triumphed. The faith demonstrated by Mahatma Gandhi in the fight against British rule triumphed. The faith demonstrated by Nelson Mandela in the face of apartheid most definitely triumphed. All of this to say while we may have certain freedoms, we must also look at where our faith is situated. These examples of justice be it racial, social or religious, are still challenges to be overcome. Consider that these are issues of not only freedom but also issues of faith.
Freedom most certainly has its place and is only part of the larger picture. Faith has often been demonstrated through efforts to improve the conditions of the marginalized and suppressed. While there are still those who are not free, no one is free. While there are those who are poor, we all face poverty. While there are conditions of suppression, we are all imprisoned. Regardless of whether you are in the cell or guarding those who are locked up, that condition has us all imprisoned. True freedom does not exist until we are all free.
So, let your true being and your expressions of faith brim over good deeds.