True freedom

True freedom

True freedom is found by living in your peace.

Do not leave me to my own devices

Or I will become a slave to my weaknesses,

Imprisoned by the smallness of my soul

And the poverty of my vision.

Bend me to your will,

For only then will I find liberty to live my life to the full.

People mock me that I cannot stand on my own two feet,

That I am forced to obey you rather than being free to express myself.

But wisdom is often counter-intuitive.

In your company I attempt more than I would ever dare alone;

In giving my attention to what you desire, all that is good and pure and lovely in me flowers,

While it is only the unworthy that withers away.

How I wish that I was better trained by your hand.

For the truth is that I am such a slow learner,

So keen to kick back against you and go my own way.

It is only your patient, gracious love that has borne with me

And so allow me to bear fruit – fruit that brings gladness to the soul.

True freedom is a great mystery.

It’s best found in service, in sacrificial love, in self-giving.

If I demand freedom to fully express myself, I am likely to make a fool of myself or hurt others,

But guided, directed, supported by you

I find such joy and peace and love

As to heal all wounds and set me soaring

While avoiding that harm which gloats at expressing myself at another’s expense.

Let me always have your freedom, Lord, and not that which I take for myself.