Are You Living Free?

If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36 NIV)

I’m not a huge movie buff, but I’ve been thoroughly enjoying Disney’s live-action recreations of their classic animated stories. The most recent one was Aladdin. It had been ages since we’d last seen it. I think we had the VHS of it, but we haven’t owned a VCR in almost a decade.

While I had remembered many of the scenes of the movie, I was shocked that I’d forgotten about the last wish.

To refresh your memory briefly (spoiler alert), a genie grants Aladdin three wishes. At one point Aladdin asks the genie why, since he can do anything, he never freed himself from being owned by masters and living in a lamp. The genie says he can be freed only if one of his masters uses one of their wishes to free him. Obviously, this had never happened, but Aladdin promises the genie he will use his last wish to free him.

Fast-forward to the end of the movie, when the genie is certain Aladdin is about to use his last wish on himself. But then Aladdin says to him, “I wish…to set you free.” It was an emotional scene. To say I got a little teary-eyed is an understatement.

As the genie is freed, the chains on his wrists break and drop to the ground. He then hugs Aladdin, and in a soft voice he says, “Thank you.”

Cue all the tears.

As I think about this scene, I’m thankful that I don’t need someone to use their last wish to set me free. My freedom is a gift from Jesus.

How many times a month, a week, a day do you remember the sacrifice Jesus made when he died? Recently, I heard the question, “How often do you think of the cross?” After I pondered the question, I was saddened by my reality. Sure, I pray regularly, and I read my Bible daily. But to remember the cross, to remember what Jesus did and thank him daily for the freedom we have? I don’t do that as often as I would like.

Every day, I want to wrap my arms (not physically) around Jesus and in a soft and humble voice say, “Thank you!” Now that is what should cue all the tears!

To be clear, living free doesn’t mean life will be easy or perfect. God’s Word says we will endure hardships. We will encounter pain and suffering. Through it all, though, we are free.

I know it’s easy to feel like God has forgotten you when life is hard and nothing seems to be going right. To feel like he isn’t with you or like he doesn’t care. I’ve been there. And honestly, I’ve been there recently. But during these times in the valley—feeling captive to hurt and despair—remember that our loving Savior has gone before us. He has paved the way to our freedom. Cling to his Word and call out to him in prayer. Share your frustrations and your fears.

The God of creation, the One who created you, doesn’t want you to live in bondage. He wants you to live free.

Dear heavenly Father, sometimes this life on earth is hard. Sometimes we feel like we’re alone and that no one cares. Sometimes we let the enemy hold us captive to past hurts and failures. But, Jesus, I know that because of the price you paid on the cross, I am free. Help me believe not just in my head but in my heart. Help me live every day in the freedom you’ve gifted me. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Scripture for Reflection

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1 NIV)

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. (Galatians 5:13 NIV)

Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38–39 NIV)

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. (Romans 6:22 NIV)

Reach for More

Is something keeping you from living free? Do you need to take it to the cross? Lay it all out before our Lord and Savior. He’s always with us, never leaving us and never forsaking us. Let him pour out his freedom on you.

Are you on the mountaintop right now? Are you living fully in the freedom of Christ? Share it! I guarantee someone in your life needs to be encouraged and reminded.

Heather Gerwing is a homeschooling mom of four. She is a Jersey girl at heart but now lives in Michigan with her husband Jeff and their kids. Heather enjoys reading, coffee-ing, worshipping and writing. She is passionate about her family and living the full life. You can find her at heathergerwing.com.

Photograph © Fuu J, used with permission