~ Free to ~
+ Free to tell the truth
+ Free to feel hurt
+ Free to be wrong
+ Free to love
+ Free to ask for help
~ Not Free to ~
+ Not free to prejudge
+ Not free to fix
+ Not free to dominate
+ Not free to hide
+ Not free to discount
The picture above is at the gates of a concentration camp in Germany. The words say, "Work makes you free." The irony is that work in a concentration camp could never make one free. Take away the concentration camp, and the irony remains. Our culture's marketing scheme places its own sign on the gates of our world. It says that the right paycheck, the right relationship, the right career, the right city, the right house, the right parents, the right clothes, and the right friends will set you free. But truth* whispers to your spirit, "Freedom starts in Christ."*. Then it tells us, "Be Free".
Last Wednesday (11/14/07), our group worked through these 5 freedoms and 5 non-freedoms. We are adopting them as ground rules for our group, but they are also freedoms we want to actualize in our own life. We will begin to go through the curriculum TrueFaced, which challenges us to be honest and open with who we are. I no longer have to stay imprisoned to my own social and emotional fears, rather I am free to tell the true story about me. I am set free.
The greatest irony for those of us who follow Christ is that the gates have been opened, but we stay because we still believe Arbeit Macht Frei, "Work makes you free." We have settled for mock-truth.
It's time to move.
*Truth whispers...John 8:32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.
* freedoms start in Christ...John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
TrueFaced is our next study! This will be a challenging study to say the least. Our members will have to tell their story, which will require vulnerability and openness. We'll also begin to keep each other accountable as "iron sharpens iron" (thanks Chris for that reference). Pray for our group. I'm looking forward to this study because it will take us to the next level. But, growth is hard. No other way to put it.
FYI - Here's our calendar:
CALENDAR November 21st – Break
November 24th – Night Out
November 28th – Session 1: Hope
December 5th – Session 2: Authenticity
December 12th - Session 3: Identity
December 19 – Break/Dinner
December 26th – Break/Dinner
January 2nd – Session 4: Safety
January 9th – Session 5: Love
January 16th – Session 6: Freedom
January 23rd – Session 7: Healing
January 30th – Session 8: Dreams
February 6th – Break
(follow up with retreat??)