“The world says freedom is doing what you want without the consequences but real freedom is the freedom to pursue what you ought to do so that you may flourish in this life.” – Megan Almon
We live in a post-modern culture where we no longer live by morality or what God says is true; instead, we live for our passions and desires. We think freedom is the ability to do what we want when we want without consequences. Everywhere we can see the culture pushing this narrative. Social media, books, the internet, and news articles are a couple of examples of where we see culture pushing the narrative to live your truth and pursue what you want. We have become a culture so focused on ourselves that it’s hard to look at those around us who are hurting.
One area where you can see people straying from God’s way by pursuing their own passions is the area of sexuality. We are told that a woman can be a man, that it’s perfectly normal to have sex outside of marriage and with whoever you want, that being gay should be celebrated, and that kids can have gender-change surgeries without parental permission. Over time, people have lost a sense of morality when it comes to sexuality. They think that as long as it doesn’t affect another person, anything goes. As Megan Almon said, “If you are not in control of your sexual desires, you will control others to gratify your own needs.” If you don’t have a grip on your own desires, then they will control you. Furthermore, you will end up controlling others to get what you need. When your desires are controlling you, you are no longer living in freedom: you are a slave to your desires. It may feel good at the moment, but in the end, you aren’t fulfilled. There is still a deep hole that pursuing your desires will never fill. What is true freedom? Where can you find true fulfillment?
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another,” states Galatians 5:13. “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery,” says Galatians 5:1. Christ has called us to freedom and to walk in his ways. This freedom is not to pursue fleshly desires, but rather to pursue what God has planned for us. Pursuing Christ will fulfill you in a way that nothing of this world could ever fill. As children of God, we are made for a kingdom that is not of this world. We need to be in this world, but not of this world. Our lives should be lived in servanthood to Christ and others instead of as slaves to our sin and desires.
Hannah Rightler is from Columbus, Ohio, where she lives with her 3 amazing brothers, 2 dogs, and chickens. Some of her favorite things to do are CrossFit, weightlifting, coaching CrossFit, baking, reading, and spending time with friends. She is looking forward to spending the next three months nestled in the Colorado mountains, and she is excited to learn more about Jesus and to go on fun adventures, especially canyoneering. During Summit Semester, she is most excited to see how God will work in her life and in the lives of those around her.