Sometimes a new word is created. It might not ever make it into a dictionary, but people use it anyway.
An example would be “hangry.” When you get really angry because you’re hungry, you’re “hangry”!
Here’s a new one that I’ll throw into the mix: Freedience. It brings together two faith-based ideas which appear to be contradictory but which actually go together: freedom and obedience.
People like freedom, whether it be for a country or with respect to their personal choices.
The idea of obedience, however, is not so quickly embraced. It seems to limit our much-beloved freedom because it is about obeying someone who isn’t us.
A Christian’s freedom is a major theme in the book of Galatians. Notice what Paul writes: “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love” (Galatians 5:13).
Sure, people are free to choose whatever they want. But since God is himself perfectly free, and since he is the author of perfect goodness, love, truth and holiness, obeying him is the ultimate springboard to all these greater things since he invites us to join him in the meaningful and beautiful work he is doing in the world!
In the words of C.S. Lewis, “Obedience is the key to all doors.”*
Life is full of choices. Perfect love and freedom are found in serving a free God of perfect love.
Live with purpose. Live with faith. Live with freedience.
Notes:
–*As quoted in: Max Lucado, Glory Days: Living Your Promised Land Life Now (Thomas Nelson: Nashville, 2019), 122.
–The Up Devotional is published five days a week (Monday-Friday) and returns on February 13, 2023.
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.
The Up Devotional 