Freedom

Can you imagine being in prison – being trapped in the same place, confined to the four walls of a tiny room? Some of you are probably thinking “Well if you did the crime, you’d pay the price” or “I wouldn’t do something that’ll send me to prison.” But what happens when you didn’t do the crime but yet you are paying the price? What happens when the same people who are meant to fight for justice unjustly place you to a life in “bondage”?

Words cannot begin to describe the anger and pain I’d feel in that type of situation. I’m naturally a restless person so thinking of how I would cope in that tiny space seems crazy. However we know that in the type of society we live in this isn’t unusual. Ricky Dale Wyatt was charged with rape back in 1981 at the age of 25. He pleaded not guilty but was sentenced to 99 years in prison. Thirty one years later, he received a $100 bill, an apology from the judge and was released to withheld evidence during the original trial. Ricky was filled with joy at the news and happy to take on the rest of his life. You’d expect him to be bitter or mad at the system and at the world right? I mean if he really was innocent, he should have those feelings right? He had every reason to feel negative but instead Ricky said that after some time in prison, he realized that God allowed it to happen. He was sent to prison to be freed from prison.

That statement completely threw me off, it blew my mind so much that I immediately said a quick prayer after reading it. I prayed for my faith to be unshakable. It further iterated the fact that freedom isn’t limited to the situation we are in but our state of mind. But dare I say that ONLY Jesus can give us that state of mind. Only in Him can we live in complete freedom, in Him we rule, reign and have our being. He died to save us from the curse of the law so we can be free from it. We gain freedom through His salvation.

The system allows us to think so narrowly – an education, a fancy job, “freedom of speech” on social networks, etc., and bam we are “free”. If that’s the case why are we monitored or how is it that people can get arrested from their “free” speeches on these social networks. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for justice and safety measures but this only goes to show that these are not the true measures of freedom.

Lord Jesus, please open the hearts of any readers to fully understand Your love. Change our mindsets, help us to line in You because only then can we truly be free. Help us to lead a life like Yours, to stand on Your promises even when life seems so gloom. Help us to accept Your amazing grace, the same grace that saved a wretch like me.