Director of Spiritual Care Jim Andrews
To live in freedom is something that every human being longs for. I have had the privilege of hearing the stories of refugees from around the world fleeing their countries of origin because of the oppression they experienced in their countries of origin. Even when facing the daunting challenge of learning another language and beginning a new life without the support of extended family or the comfort of a culture they grew up in, they invariably extol the inestimable value of this prize of freedom.
Political tyranny is not the only form of oppression which robs us of freedom, however. In the interior world of our thoughts and feelings, there are three powerful forces which threaten to deprive us of our freedom to respond to our life circumstances in the way we would like. These three forces are anger, fear, and greed. How often have we been filled with regret after striking out in anger, or shrunk back from a challenge because we were too afraid of failure, or allowed our insatiable desire for more to leave us grasping and unsatisfied?
We are so blessed to live in a country which recognizes our civil liberties to be our birthright. May we also recognize the priceless value of our internal freedom, and claim our soul’s birthright to freedom from the tyranny of our own anger, fear, and greed.
Have a great week, everyone!
Jim