Freedom. What really is it? Is it just free will? Or is it just being able to do what you want to no matter how selfish it is? What really brings the ‘feeling’ of freedom?
Oswald Chambers says, “Beware of any work for God that causes or allows you to avoid concentrating on Him.” What’s the real issue here? What we value. It’s easy to slip into ‘worshipping’ the work. Many Christians who don’t keep this focus of constant concentration on God — become easily burned out. Because they are working within their own limits instead of working WITH God. Working only within yourself there seems to be no freedom or life and God’s blessing cannot rest on you.
I just viewed a worship service of inmates in a prison. These were men who’s physical freedom has been greatly restricted. But when worshipping God they were FREE! The Presence of God was so strong in their midst. Their concentration was solely on God… not on their current physical situation.
When one is concentrating on God the limits of our lives are free and totally under the control of God alone. We enter a place where freedom can be breathed in and enjoyed. We are no longer responsible for the results of the work. Our only responsibility is our constant concentration on God and being ‘in touch’ with Him. Listening. Communicating with Him. This is an act of sanctification. And with that act comes the freedom of a child, and the things that hold your life in check.
When in this state of His sanctification we have no right to say where or what we should be doing, or have preconceived ideas of how we think God is going to use us. We must recognize God is the Engineer… of everything. Our responsibility? To pour out our lives in surrender in constant devotion to Him. And then …whatever our hand finds to do …to do it with all our might, heart, and soul …while concentrating on Him.