Freedom has been the center of controversy for a very long time. Today, this fact still holds true. Across the United States, post presidential election, city streets have been inundated with people ‘marching for freedom’. Within American borders, we embrace ‘freedom of speech’, yet this privilege does not exempt one from responsibility. My heart is troubled by what I am witnessing. When did it become okay, in the hearts of people, to block traffic, disrupt the normal flow of both business and community, destroy property, scream obscenities about elected officials and law enforcement representatives, all in the name of ‘freedom’? When and how did the boundaries of ‘freedom’ get redefined to eliminate Responsibility? Freedom Demands Responsibility!
The purpose of this article is NOT to discuss the events of the past week, (the media has already bombarded us all to the point of disgust). Rather, this post is meant for much deeper reflection. I dare to provoke YOU to examine your own heart! I strongly believe it is a time for voices to be heard, but not before examining the heart. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). What is being witnessed today, across our privileged nation, is not an outcry for ‘voices to be heard’, but rather a much deeper concern…It’s a ‘ revealing of the heart’! Hearts that are engulfed in despair, hurt, loneliness, rejection, hatred and jealousy. Such seeds will only reproduce more of its kind. Heart surgery is needed. The enemy comes to steal kill and destroy, and we the people, are allowing him to do just that. Enough is enough! Yes, it is time for the voices to be heard, but let those voices ring with hope, love, forgiveness, peace and joy. Such voices will invoke change!
For too long we have believed the lie which told us, ‘sticks and stones will break your bones but words will never hurt you’! Has life taught you differently? It certainly has for the thousands who are bullied everyday, for the marriages torn apart by hurtful words, long term relationships devastated after dishonoring words are spoken, reputations destroyed by deceitful words, governments falling prey to the disease of dishonesty while nations are being torn to shreds by disunity. It is time to understand Freedom, in every arena of life… demands responsibility.
Why is it taking us so long to figure this out? God has warned us, “The tongue has power of life and death” (Proverbs 18:21a). Why are we so slow to heed God’s word? If life and death are in the power of the tongue, and what comes out of our mouth flows from the abundance of our heart…Herein lies the connection. We must examine our hearts, it’s a matter of life and death!
People continue to ignore the warnings, they continue to speak out venom from hearts, filled with sin, for personal gain. Take note…this must stop! Freedom Demands Responsibility.
Now more than ever we need unity among people, not only in America, but worldwide. We will never accomplish this goal if we do not examine the ‘heart’. For out of the heart comes evil thoughts (Matthew 15:19). It all begins in the heart.
God himself judges the heart of man (1Samuel 16:7), shouldn’t we be propelled to ponder what is in our own hearts?
Examining the heart is hard work, yet it is a necessity if you are going to uncover purpose in your everyday life. It is all too easy to look outside for the cause of your discomfort rather than to look inward. Most people have been trained either by society or upbringing, to blame everything and everyone in lieu of accepting responsibility for their own lives. This attitude promotes bondage not freedom. Jesus came to set the captives free (Luke 4:18).
Do not apply a band-aid where surgery is needed. There is only one physician who can safely perform this type of heart surgery …His name is Jesus. He is amazing at what he does. He can give you a new heart, put a new spirit within you (Ezekiel 36:26), He will remove the poison of a sinful heart and replace it with His love.
It is the voice of love which needs desperately to be heard throughout the world. It is this voice which will bring change to our homes, communities, country and the world.
Will you be bold enough to ask God to search your heart and show you what evil lies within (Psalms 139:23-34). Real change can happen, it begins with a ‘heart transplant’. Freedom Demands Responsibility!
-Lucy Ann
Challenge Question:
Are you bold enough to ask God to reveal to you what is truly in your heart?
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