I will run in the way of your commandments for you set my heart free. Psalm 119:32, ESV

 

I was very touched, today, when I switched on the News, to get a glimpse of several Remembrance Day Services that had taken place across the country. Though held in different locations, a unity of spirit prevailed, each displaying the same dignity and decorum, as people dressed in sombre colours, stood silently, listening to the ‘Last Post’ and watching dignitaries laying poppy wreaths with deep solemnity. It was a moving scene: humanity honouring courageous people who had paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend their loved ones against an enemy, and enable them to live free.

 

Freedom, to the human spirit, is so important because it brings with it the privilege of self-determination and individual growth. The right to live according to one’s own culture and beliefs and pursue happiness, and the ability to choose the best life possible in one’s circumstances, captivates our imaginations.

 

But freedom is double-edged: it can bring great joy as it enables us to pursue our dreams, and enjoy achieving them, but it can also leave us bored and unfulfilled – like children after the first week of school holidays. To be free without a purpose doesn’t necessarily mean continual happiness; it could even lead to despair. Ironically, freedom with restraints adds the missing link it requires.

 

It never ceases to amaze me how joyfully freeing it is to live life within a framework of limitations, and embrace the boundaries. It makes us secure to know how to respond in a situation and to know that the limits that are in place are for the common good; and by sticking to the system, it frees you to focus on whatever you’re doing with your life. This applies to everything – who hasn’t watched a rugby game where the spectators don’t all boo any infringement of the rules?

 

I love our verse today because it expresses beautifully how being grounded in God is liberation. No chains to hold us back – we can run with joy. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free …” says Paul, “Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1, NIV)

When God is our focus, and his commandments are embraced, we connect to His perfect goodness, wisdom, love, and grace which have the power to free us from worldly limitations – “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts” (Psalm 119:45, NIV) – and opens to us the beauty of who God is, and what life in Him makes possible.

 

“Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart – they do no wrong but follow his ways.” (Psalm119:1-3, NIV)

 

What about us? Have we discovered this life-changing irony?

 

Prayer: Gracious Father, “Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.” (Psalm 119:89-90, NIV) Thank you that to be grounded in You brings me freedom because You light my path and Your Word is true. “I delight in your commands because I love them.” (Psalm 119:47, NIV) Amen.

 

 

 

Ek was onlangs diep geraak toe ek Nuus kyk en iets sien van verskeie herdenkingsgeleenthede wat op Wapenstilstanddag oral (veral in Brittanje) plaas gevind het. Alhoewel dit op verskillende plekke gehou is, het daar tog 'n gees van eenheid geheers, by elke geleentheid was dieselfde waardigheid en dekorum te bespeur. Mense, in somber kleredrag, het stil gestaan en luister na die Laaste Taptoe en gekyk hoe hoogwaardigheidsbekleërs plegtig die rooi poppiekranse neerlê. Dit was 'n roerende toneel: die mensdom wat dapperes vereer wat alles opgeoffer het om hulle geliefdes teen die vyand te verdedig en hulle in staat te stel om in vryheid te kan leef.

 

Vir die menslike gees is vryheid belangrik want daarmee saam kom die voorreg van selfbeskikking en individuele groei. Die reg om volgens jou eie kultuur en oortuigings te leef, geluk na te jaag en die beste lewe moontlik in jou omstandighede te kan kies, gryp ons verbeelding aan.

 

Vryheid is egter tweeledig: dit kan groot blydskap bring, want dit stel ons in staat om ons drome na te jaag en dit te geniet wanneer hulle waar word, maar dit kan ons ook verveeld en onvervuld laat – soos kinders na die eerste week van die vakansie. Om vry te wees sonder 'n doel beteken nie voortdurende geluk nie; dit kan selfs tot wanhoop lei. Ironies genoeg, vir geluk is beperkings die ontbrekende skakel in vryheid wat benodig word.

 

Ek staan steeds verstom oor hoe heerlik bevrydend dit is om binne 'n raamwerk met beperkings te leef, en die grense te aanvaar. Dit laat ons veilig voel om te weet hoe om in 'n spesifieke situasie te reageer en te weet dat die beperkings daar is vir gemeenskaplike belang. Deur die stelsel te volg, bevry jy jou om te fokus op wat jy ook al met jou lewe doen. Dit geld vir alles – wie het nog nie na 'n rugbywedstryd gekyk waar die toeskouers nie luidkeels van hulle laat hoor vir enige oortreding van die reëls nie?

 

Ek hou van vandag se teksvers wat so mooi verduidelik dat om aan God verbonde te wees, is vryheid. Daar is geen kettings wat ons terughou nie – ons kan die pad met geesdrif volg. "Vryheid is waarvoor Christus ons bevry het", sê Paulus. "Staan dan vas, en laat julle nie weer onder 'n juk van slawerny indwing nie!" (Galasiërs 5:1)

 

Wanneer God ons fokuspunt is en ons sy gebooie onderhou, is ons verbind aan sy volmaakte goedheid, wysheid, liefde en genade wat die krag het om ons van wêreldse beperkings te bevry – " Ek wil in hierdie wye ruimte voortbeweeg, want u opdragte ondersoek ek" (Psalm 119:45) – en ons oë te open vir wie God is en wat 'n lewe in Hom alles moontlik maak.

 

"Gelukkig is mense wie se lewenspad onberispelik is en wat die wet van die Here volg! Gelukkig is hulle wat hou by sy bepalings, wat Hom met hulle hele hart soek; wat ook nie onreg pleeg nie, maar net sy paaie volg!" (Psalm 119:1-3)

 

Wat van ons? Het jy al hierdie lewensveranderende ironie ontdek?

Gebed: Genadige Vader, "vir ewig, Here, staan u woord vas in die hemel. Van geslag tot geslag duur u trou; U het die aarde gevestig en dit hou stand." (Psalm 119:89-90) Dankie dat om aan U verbonde te wees, my vry maak want U verlig my pad en u Woord is waar. "Ek vind vreugde in u bevele wat ek liefhet." (Psalm 119:47) Amen