Freedom to Live

Last night I had a dream, that I was in Africa on a mission trip. There was a large group from my church there and we were driving through the bush. I was driving the SUV as we came up to a military check point. A man armed with a large gun began walking around the vehicle and inspecting it. Inside the car were my parents, a lady from my church named Patty Nance, and a couple other people I don't remember. As the soldier walked behind the SUV and out of my sight, I was told we could drive on. So I drove off the ramp we were sitting on and continued our drive through the bush. All of a sudden I heard gun shots sound, I floored the gas realizing the soldier had not intended me to leave yet. More shots were fired as they shruck the car. I flew around a corner of the dirt road only to be met by a road block of soldiers armed with shot guns. As I hit the breaks the soldiers began to unload their guns into the vehicle. Shot gun pelets were hitting us and leaving wounds but not killing us. I thought to myself, I wonder when the big shot will be felt and I'll see what death feels like. I could hear everyone screaming as the pellets riddled the car. I began to pray, "Lord if there is anyway to get us out of here please let it be." About that time the soldiers stopped shotting and they openned the doors to the vehicle and pulled us out. They threw us on the ground and were yelling at us. I remember I had been wounded right below both of my knees and I was hurting all over. Laying in the dirt, I saw Terick Simpson break through the crowd of soldiers and put some money in the soldiers hand. I knew this was bribe money to try to buy us back. The soldier lifted his gun in the air and yelled, "I have not even begun to deal with you!" All the soldiers began yelling a cheering. At that point people from church and people of Africa began walking up and dropping money as his feet. Finally the soldier was satisfied and he took the money and left. With my legs hurting, I tried to catch him and ask what we had done wrong but he just kept walking. As I leaned against the door of the SUV I notice it was now dark and the stars were shinning brighter than ever. I began sobbing as I thought about how God had saved our lives. Patty seeing me crying came over and told me to get in the back of the car and she would drive. I then woke up but to my surprise my legs still hurt right below my knees. I laid there in bed prayed and thanked God for buying my life and saving me from death.

Freedom is a funny thing. Becuase of the Revolutionary war, Americans have freedom FROM England, freedom FROM oppresion, freedom FROM monarchy, but we also have freedom TO worship freely, freedom TO democracy, freedom TO be free. Spiritually as Christians we have freedom FROM sin, freedom FROM death, freedom FROM evil, but we also have freedom TO hope, freedom TO love, freedom TO life. This freedom came at a very high price. it cost Jesus his life, but unlike anyother religion, my Jesus didn't stay dead. Today I don't have to worship God, I have the opportunity and the freedom TO worship a living God! I don't have to read my Bible or pray, I have the freedom to read the words of the living God and almighty creater, I have the freedom to talk to God and know that He wants to hear from me. I love Jesus because He first loved me and while I was still a sinner, He paid the price that bought me freedom. That's the God I freely serve!