Liberty: Toward the Merry-Go-Round 

The children grabbed each other . . . and danced off in the direction of the merry-go-round . . . where they could be happy and free and do as they pleased.¹ 

A very and Fern are tipsy with joy from a sip of the wine of autonomy, the freedom from control of others. The siblings taste freedom, but within limits of parental oversight and as a healthy part of growing up and out into a broader world. 

By contrast, the goose compels Wilbur to scoot through the loose board of his pen to a wild and purposeless liberty. Wilbur’s freedom is autonomy for the sake of experiencing life without limits. He is a piggly-wiggly running in every direction not knowing how to leverage his liberty. Ill-advised, not knowing his own heart, Wilbur regrets his wild entre into unbounded liberty. 

Our human nature most often seduces us into a wild, dissatisfying scurry for freedom. But, when we as believers stay securely tucked into the will and presence of the Lord, we can fully and freely explore life. God has our flourishing at heart and gives us boundaries for blessing. Real freedom lays in doing what the Lord says to do, when and how and where. In doing His will, we will experience wonderful music, adventure, excitement—all that represents the riches of life in Jesus. 

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Ps. 16:11). 

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Cor. 3:17). 

Prayer: Help me discern between autonomy (freedom from control of others) and liberty (freedom to conform to wholesome purposes).