Freedom

Do you consider yourself to be free? Freedom can be taken for granted. Only when our freedom is curtailed, or when we must sacrifice our freedom for a cause, do we miss it. Many of us will be familiar with this feeling from our experiences during the pandemic. Suddenly the small decisions we used to make freely became much larger issues of public safety.

In the countries where Christian Aid works people are denied freedom. They are denied a chance to live a full life, free from poverty. It is not only our individual freedoms we can take for granted. Rich countries overlook the costs that are borne by poorer countries. Freedom for those who are better off comes at the expense of those who are poorer.

Jesus tells us that even when we think we are free, we may be missing out on true freedom by letting our lives be shaped by sin. Committing to repentance, to change, to facing up to the truth about ourselves and our lives, is incredibly hard. And it's a task we need to take on over and over again. We all get things wrong - on purpose, by accident, through negligence, or because the right path just seems too difficult. But if we don't confront what we have done wrong and ask for God's help, Jesus tells us, we will not be free.

What is the cost to others of the everyday freedoms we enjoy? What is our part in that cost? Can we hold our wrongdoing up to God and say sorry? Can we open ourselves up to the truth that will make us free?

Jesus, you tell us that the truth will make us free.

You know those times when we find it hard to face the truth.

May we rely on you, on your extraordinary mercy,

And admit that we have done wrong.

Help us to repent of and repair our wrongdoing.

Help us to live daily in the light of your truth.

Through repentance and repair may we enjoy true freedom

And bring freedom to others.

Jesus, may those who live constrained by poverty be made free.

May these things be done in your name.

Amen.