Freedom in the Balance

As with all, there is a right 'balance' with freedom.  When the balance is right, we live in freedom.  When that balance is off, we live in chains (whether we're aware or not).

What balance am I referring to?

I guess it's a fairly complex yet simple thing this balance is.  Complex in the sense of not BLACK and WHITE and always the same, but of living in a way that is right in the moment and led by the indwelling power of Him who only knows the right balance in every situation. 

Simple in the sense of having ears to hear and the character to follow that indwelling power (not full of self-proclaimed wisdom and knowledge, understanding and sound doctrine so that you can figure out the right thing to do, but simply be able to listen/hear and do).

If we live in this way, freedom reigns.  Even if all hell has broke loose in the midst, this freedom will reign.

I wonder if we get certain notions in our minds of what things look like and when they do not unfold like we've envisioned them, then we dismiss them as invalid.  Perhaps this is the case with our ideas of what freedom looks like.  I have come to the conclusion that freedom is something that can look like many different things, but if it comes at the direction of an unfailing, always perfectly balanced Father, it is truly freedom.

If we get our hearts set on a particular idea, I wonder at our ability to be able to hear His voice.  Why would we even be listening?  If we already knew?  This black and white type of living - having some justifiable understanding of 'righteousness' is scary indeed.  Where is the need for an indwelling Holy Spirit that guides and directs us in the moment? 

I'm not trying to be so fru fru here to suggest living without conviction, but think about it.

Does God inspire you  the same way every time you come face to face with similar situations? 

No. 

Sometimes when a child disobeys you discipline him/her through some form of punishment (stand in the corner, time out, extra chores...) and sometimes for the same type of disobedience you feel led to pick him/her up in your lap and sit down and love on him/her and share an illustration revealing the wrong that he/she had done....

We need to listen to His voice, without the pre-assumed notions of the black and white of right and wrong - so that we can hear and listen and be free to do the right thing in the right moment, cuz, let's face it, we're all a bit DENSE when it comes to doing what's right.

Perhaps we need to consider coming down off our high horses of self-righteousness, thinking we've got some type of sound doctrine of living right when what we need to do is humble ourselves to be seeking Him in our moment by moment decisions and actions - being led by Him and not by our own failable judgements.

Again, this isn't a live in the wind fru fru 'whatever' lifestyle that I'm talking about, but one where there is a swelling up of the indwelling Spirit to guide us to live a balanced FREEDOM.