Freedom: Finding the Right Set of Rules?
Oscar had a good life. He was a hearty fish, the size of a grown man’s hand, and the boss of the entire aquarium. One by one, the other fish had to be rescued from his bad habit of nipping at their fins. Despite this naughty behavior, the little boy cared for him and fed him, along with a menagerie of other creatures: a bird named Popcorn, several snakes, and a favorite pet mouse.
Oscar’s home was a comfortable aquarium that sat atop a chest of drawers in the boy’s room. Every day, after the boy went to school, Oscar would eye the empty room. He was not happy. How long had he been unhappy? Your guess is as good as mine. But this went on until one day when the boy came home from school and discovered the aquarium empty! The little boy panicked. Where on earth was that naughty fish?
Running to the chest to investigate, the boy found him stranded, gasping and gulping for air. Somehow Oscar had flipped himself out of the water, clearing the sides of the aquarium and plopped helplessly in a bed of birdseed that had tipped over and spilled in the top drawer. There lay Oscar, covered in seeds, like he had just been breaded and was waiting to be fried and served up with a slice of lemon and some tartar sauce! The boy quickly grabbed him and ran to the tub faucet to rinse off the seeds, and safely returned him to the water where he belonged.
Cute story, but here’s my point. Many times we define freedom as being free from any rules or restrictions that may hinder us. Most Americans identify with the attitude, “I’m the boss of me!” But I beg the question, are we really?
Think of all the things that control you and your behavior. The list is endless. We are not truly free. What is it that you love and desire most of all? A beautiful body? A successful career? A house with a picket fence and two perfectly adorable children? You need to realize that if these are the things you live for, then no doubt they will limit your freedom.
Beautiful bodies demand that you better not eat that red velvet cupcake. And if you do, you’ll feel guilty at best, or stick your finger down your throat at worst.
A successful career will demand you stay at your desk and finish the project due Monday even when your cousin from out of town is pleading that you join her at the beach this weekend.
The two adorable children will demand you be willing to give up your svelte pre-baby figure, get up at night for feedings, change diapers, patiently attend to the unreasonable tantrums of a 2-year-old, and remain in constant vigilance-mode to keep them safe, healthy, and clean! (And guess who gets to paint the picket fence?)
All our choices are competing for control of our hearts. Even the “good” ones will make demands and place restrictions on our freedom. The key to true freedom is finding the right restrictions and making the right choices that fit our immortal souls!
All that we most love and cherish is already controlling us. The only question is, will we be under the control of the Lord of the Universe, who can fulfill and satisfy us, or will we be under the control of some other lord who can’t?
Here is where the Lord who designed us and loves us wants to come to the rescue. In the Bible, we have the guidelines and instructions for living to our Designer’s specifications. We have Scriptures which are able to make us wise. Teaching, correction, and training are all clearly given to us in His Word (see 2 Timothy 3:16–17).
Submitting to the good and gracious “rules” that fit our immortal souls is the only way we will find true freedom. This is a great paradox: True freedom is in obedience. As Derek Kidner has said, “Freedom is found in following God’s commandments, not in the release from them. If we foolishly disregard them, following our own hearts, we will end up violating our own being…much like Oscar the fish!
37 comments
Maribel | March 20, 2012
Thank you. This came at a perfect time in my life. Please pray that I would continue to surrender to God's will and not my own.
Sonya | March 20, 2012
I've been fasting and praying for myself to submit to God's Will and His Timing. Please keep me in prayer as I continue to do the same for you. Thank you!
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Eleanor | March 21, 2012
I will keep praying for you! You are on the Right Path.....the path of our Lord. Stay in faith and never give up! He loves you and all things that come from Him ARE GOOD. I love you....my sister in Christ and I will keep praying for you as I hope you will do the same for me. God Bless YOU!
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Brenda | March 20, 2012
What a blessing. Good for thought and prayer.
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Kernyce | March 20, 2012
Greeting Cathe,
That was a great analogy. I don't kow how many times I've jumped out of the fish tank. I'm learning. It's not nearly as often now.
Blessings,
Kernyce
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Lisa | March 20, 2012
Thank you for that, I've found myself sitting in my house with Oscar's thoughts.
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Evelyn | March 20, 2012
This is yet another reminder from God. I know God is calling me to do something, I just don't know what that something is. I pray that God enlightens me with what he's calling me to do in this situation.
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Liza | March 20, 2012
I'm crying as I read this, so true and so timely, please pray for me too.
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Nicole | March 20, 2012
Really needed to hear that. I am opening up each day to God more and more. Love this!!!
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Joan | March 20, 2012
Thank you so much for this devotion on obedience. Please pray for me to maintain my obedience through hard times.
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Delphine | March 20, 2012
Thank you Cathe, Good word, the Lord really speaks through you.
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Wanda | March 20, 2012
Ahhh. Just learning that the greatest most adventurous path to freedom begins and ends with the understanding that in His hands is true freedom is a hard thing to learn. I can think of thousands, no millions of times I've slipped from the hand of God for a dalliance with the world and the lying freedom it offered only to find that God would chase me down with His. In one chase-down I remember sitting and reflecting as I compared the two. To my surprise, I found there was no comparison; and I finally stopped resisting His ample hand of love, mercy, and forgiveness. I found a freedom with which to soar far above the ordinary limits of worldly living while standing in the palm of His hand.
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Brenda | March 20, 2012
Thank you for bringing to light the LIE we often hear and are tempted to obey. It doesn't sound SO appealing when thought through as you so eloquently stated. Thank you for helping our eyes see the truth, may we look for truth in our choices to discover true freedom!
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Elizabeth | March 20, 2012
Wow what an enlightening story with so much truth, I can totally relate to this story. I remember being a rebellious teenager and wanting to be on my own out of the clutches of my parents hands (so I thought). The minute I was out on my own the first thing I did was cry because I felt so all alone and did not have the comfort and love of my parents. Our Lord is our parent trying to teach us right from wrong and so many times as rebellous teenagers we long to be on our own without realizing how comforting and loving our Lord's arms are. I love this story. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
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Stella | March 20, 2012
Thank you, please pray for me.. and blessing for you and your family..
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Donnao | March 20, 2012
WOW! What a revelation! This is a story about my life! I too have been rebellious all of my life, and since I just turned the big "7-0", believe me, I have been on my knees alot. This is a wonderful way that you have, Cathe, to reach others for Christ... Please don't ever give up living for the Lord. He is all we need!
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Angie | March 20, 2012
Thank you for this....where I am at this time in my life I know is not God's best...it's ok ...but not His best. I don't want to miss His best. Pray that I will have the courage to submit...it seems He is (in my life at least) always gettting me (or do I get myself) in a situation where I have to "choose" between staying near to my grown kids and now four small grand children...or do I jump off of the diving board (again)
and walk by faith and not by sight? May I remind myself that He can be trusted...He is always faithful...and He has a plan that started long ago and He always finishes what He starts...Please pray for His guidence..wisdom.. and God courage...as well as God confidence. Pray that He will make a way where there seems to be no way at this point...would someone please push me off of the diving board?
Cathryn | March 20, 2012
Praying for sister Angie! Hugz!!! <3
He will be there for you, never let go, & pray with peace & confidence.
The wait is worth it! :))
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Hannah | March 20, 2012
Thank you for sharing this... Obedience from love for God brings freedom in Christ, and enables us to LIVE.
AND He credits us with purity and calls us coheirs, crediting His righteousness to us "as if we have never sinned"!
Praise God from whom
All blessings flow...
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Katherine | March 20, 2012
Thank you so much for sharing this. It's a strong analogy that really speaks to my heart. Why do some of us choose to gasp for air outside the (fish) bowl when our loving Father willingly fills us with all we need? It doesn't make sense. Why is the flesh so stupid!?
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Nobert | March 20, 2012
True, we become slaves of our own goals.
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Heather :) :) :) | March 20, 2012
True freedom really is found in Christ. He wants the best for us and if we're willing to let Him lead in our lives, that's when we experience what true freedom is really all about :) Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather ;)
Cathryn | March 20, 2012
I couldn't put it in a better way, thanks! BTW, I'm from CA too :) God bless!
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Sonia | March 21, 2012
Wonderful analogy, thank you, God is great. I pray to submit and obey God.
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Rita | March 21, 2012
Thanks Cathe, u always encourage us:) much to learn. God help us to live in your freedom...love and hugs from Europe...
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Karen | March 21, 2012
Psalms 46:10 "Be still, and know I am God." Amen
Elizabeth | April 3, 2012
AMEN Karen!!! Be still and KNOW that He IS God.
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Christine | March 21, 2012
Funny, I just had a red velvet cupcake yesterday which violated the diet restriction I put on myself this week. I need to relax under His guidance and submit to His calling for my life and not stress over little things. Freedom is taking each moment as it comes and handling the moment the way God would want me to, with His guidance. Sometimes I charge into a situation thinking I know how to deal with it--when I should pause and ask the Lord what He wants for me.
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Danita | March 21, 2012
Thank you for reminding me that I need to remember that I was chosen.
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Gracie | March 21, 2012
Cathe,
You should use the Oscar story to write a children's book for your grandchildren and others. Simple, yet profound truth about letting go of our own futile will to secure God's mighty will.
It's amazing how the Lord uses occurances in our childhood to minister to others, and this definitely is one for the books! Thanks for sharing.
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Monica | March 21, 2012
This is EXACTLY what I needed to read during this time in my life! God is Wonderful and His timing is perfect. I need to always remember that, and thank you for the reminder. Please keep me in prayer also as I seek God's will for my life. Thank you!
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Trish | March 21, 2012
Cathe,
I thank you for sharing this message. It is something that I have been struggling with in my career this last month. I want to be lead by the Lord's purpose, not mine.
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Cece | March 21, 2012
WOW!!! This is what I have been praying about myself. That God will bring my fiance and I back together in His time and if it's His will. I really try not to think about it because I don't want it to consume me. We already tried following our own ways and rules and it didn't get us anywhere.
I truly want God' will and not my own.
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Ericka | March 21, 2012
I'm a new follower and I'm not ashamed to say it. I just started to read the Bible. Six months ago I started reading and I've had to read books maybe twice to be able to understand. The more I read the more I understand and the more I love Him. It's been very hard for me because my husband is a non-believer and I pray for his salvation. It has taken us apart and it has hurt the relationship. I surrender completely to my Lord and I ask Him for faith because as a new follower I need to understand and I asked for Him to help me understand. Today, He killed my pain and I know that He will do more wonderful things with me because He is my Father and He doesn't want His daughter to be in pain. This message really touched my heart and I thank you for sharing it. I truly want to surrender to Him and allow Him to guide me in my present and in my future.
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Naomi | March 21, 2012
Oh our Lord knows when to send a message. I'm going through a lot of guilty eating habits. Please pray as I continue with eating correctly and exercising, that I don't lose faith or have guilt. I started to think I wanted to starve myself, but I know that's not healthly. Please pray that I succeed through this in a healthy way.. thanks
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Trudy | March 22, 2012
So well written, I enjoy a glass of wine almost every night. I don't seem to depend on it (maybe I do). My habit is harmless and I do have control to keep it moderate to a glass or two. The obedience to God is what has been wrong in my life in drinking the wine. Not the wine in itself, just the almost daily habit. Sometimes the Holy Spirit points out things in our life that is not right for us, and the act of obedience will set me free in Christ, even though I personally see it harmless, my conscious (the Holy Spirit) is saying, Don't. I must surrender all to experience complete freedom in Christ. Thank you for this reminder!
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Michele | March 22, 2012
I read and reread and then reread again as I ponder what God has in store for my life. I am at a crossroads and I am confused as to what God's plan and purpose is for me. After reading the above, I have to submit my life to Him and STOP trying to control what I think HE wants for me and listen to HIM...
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Jacqui | March 23, 2012
Thank you so much for the inspiration and reminders! I cannot tell you how badly I needed that! xoxo
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Sharon | March 25, 2012
Every day I struggle with a demanding career which is affecting my health...mainly because I prayed for this career for years ( I am a teacher) and the job has changed. Every day before I go to work, I ask that God will protect me and guide my words, and when the day comes that I do not do this job in this place, I know it will be because God has the rest of His plan for me waiting.
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Chris | March 29, 2012
Thank you for the wonderful reminder! I was in church last Sunday just sitting down before the service and went to turn down my cell phone, when the the Lord put it on my heart to call my estranged son. He hasn't returned my calls and says he won't ever speak to me again. Very rocky relationship. To my surprise he answered and I stumbled for a moment, Lord what do I do now? So, I told him we were going shopping for my granddaughter and asked her size. He replied with no hesitation, then asked what I was doing. I told him we had just gotten to church and then asked what he was doing. He replied that he had just gotten to church and was dropping of the kids in the classes. The Lord is faithful, He does answer prayer. Later he e-mailed saying my granddaughter would like a Bible for her birthday and as for me, I want a good relationship with my mom. Through all of this I can remember how many times I walked away from God and still He never gave up on me. I really feel He chased me down for many years. He loves!
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Elizabeth | April 2, 2012
I agree!!!! To me total surrender is true worship. Please pray for me too. I am a work in progress.
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Sandy | May 1, 2012
Thank you for this note - I am using it with the Mom's group that I lead. It highlights the topic we are discussing from Luke 14:25-33 - COUNTING THE COST.
Love in Christ, Sandy
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