Summertime Freedom

School is out across northwest Kansas. You are going to see an increase of kids that will be riding bikes or walking during the business day.  It is always a reminder to me that I need to pay more attention while driving down residential areas – in case an unexpected child comes darting out into the street after a toy.

With the summer break brings freedom.  Freedom that most kids are longing for since the time Easter break passes.  They like to stay up late, sleep in, and do many other things during the absence of school.

This takes us through about June.  You may not understand what I mean by that, but the excitement of this freedom that the kids were enjoying, the opening of the pool, the playing with friends, the staying up late, the sleeping in, and the list could go on, will end after about six weeks into the summer break.

I remember what it was like.  I had a little brother that was four years younger than I was and we had our fair share of disagreements.  We would call my dad or mom several times to settle arguments.  We heard several times that we better not call again, unless it was an emergency.  We had lists to do while my parents were gone.  I generally procrastinated doing those till about 3:30 in the afternoon.  I enjoyed my freedom, but with that freedom came grumbling.  Sounds a lot like some Israelites…read on…

Their voices rose in a great chorus of complaint against Moses and Aaron. "We wish we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!" they wailed.  "Why is the LORD taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and little ones will be carried off as slaves! Let's get out of here and return to Egypt!" From Numbers 14:2-3, New Living Translation

Sounds a lot like kids do about six weeks in to their summer break.  “I’m bored” is what they will probably say, even if they don’t say those words.  The appreciated their freedom, but then the reality sets in to their minds.  They wanted freedom, but yet they enjoyed something that occupied their time.

How about for adults?  Are we really much different?  I remember a scene in a movie where a gentleman who had been in prison for so long couldn’t function once he was released.  He desired freedom but didn’t know how to handle it when he was freed.  We enjoy the things that God gives us but we still enjoy the boundaries, whether we think we do or not.

Do we appreciate the freedoms we have but get “bored” after a while?  Has God given us too much freedom?  Or have you ever wondered why God brings you to such “places” in life?

May we not be like the grumbling Israelites and appreciate the freedom that we have been given in Christ.  May we not get “bored” but use every opportunity to serve Him.  All kinds of opportunities await around every corner.

This summer, use that freedom – away from school or enjoyable weather – to do something that expresses gratefulness to Him rather than a complaining attitude!