Freedom is not free…

Freedom is misunderstood. The Statue of Liberty, on the east coast, that welcomes people as they arrive to America needs to be bookended with the Statue of Responsibility, on the west coast (Thanks, Viktor Frankl). We have overvalued liberty while neglecting responsibilities. We have become a nation of victims, fixated on our rights and feelings all while forgetting our responsibilities. We want freedom to be free. It is not.

Freedom requires commitment. And, commitment has become outdated in our modern vocabulary. We like choices. More and more we choose what is comfortable and convenient. We’ve become soft and it’s a slippery slope, just ask Rome…

Way back in the day, Ruth understood commitment. She was a picture of “enduring” freedom. When her mother in law tried to persuade her to give up she gave a speech worth remembering.

“Entreat me not to leave you. Or to turn back from following after you; For where you go, I will go. And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, And there I will be buried…” Ruth 1:16-17

Ruth was tough and tender, right?

Freedom and responsibility are married. Humans are happiest when committed. Humans are happiest when, like Ruth, they have a “no opt out” mindset. Comfort and convenience may work when selecting a hotel for the evening but commitment is the one you want in relationships; especially marriage.

God, help me understand freedom and responsibility are bookends. God, help me understand struggle is the gig. God, help me understand You can be trusted; You want to help. God, help me honor my commitments and keep showing up. God, help me.

Live hard. Love harder…