When your freedom overlaps my freedom, honor is the ONLY solution. (How much freedom can fit in the room?)

Because I feel we have much to learn in the area of how great our freedom is we will need to learn how great the need is to “protect and serve with honor.” We must protect our freedom and never return to the traditions of men that bind and control. And yet to take our liberty and wield it with disregard for those about us creates another set of problems.Yesterday while praying the Lord began to show me our circles of influence or our existence in life. They are indicated in the drawing to the side. Each person represented by a circle and as you can see by relationship, overlapping into another’s circle.

Desiring independence is part of our “hardwiring” I believe, just as community is hardwired into us. So on one hand we have community and the desire to be with one another. On the other hand you have the need for independence, for freedom. At some point these were operative in a God way. (“It is not good for man to be alone.”) Without hindrance. It is this place that God desires us to be.

God’s desire is that His children would be in unity. (Psalm 133) That they would be in freedom and not be held back. Those two things have the potential to change the world, but they also have the potential to give some angst! Why? Because people at some point want control. Only when we relinquish the “control issues” of our life do we have real freedom. I maintain freedom in my own life and the ability to let you be free in yours.

One of the hardest things I encountered in my parenting was the letting go of my teenagers. All of a sudden it seems like they wake up and want to be free. The parent who has not prepared for this season may find themself struggling with the child’s newfound freedom or sense of independence.

While the child is desirous of independence, the parent’s “fear” is for what they might do. The child on the other hand is actually beginning to walk out the beliefs of the parent in so many areas.

The lack of desire to be independent or free is codependent and destructive in nature. It leads to dependency on others that only leads to sloth and lack of desire. It is contradictory to what has been provided for in Christ.

So, what about the overlapping freedoms? The only solution is honor. To have high esteem for someone. To prize or appreciate. The word esteems is from the word to appraise or give value to. So, if I am to honor you, I am to place value in you or on you.

So from my place of liberty or freedom, without fear, I extend value, because I am valuable. Who made me valuable? He did. Perhaps it is not the treasure that is within but you are the treasure. (Matthew 13:45-46) I submit to you that you are the pearl that He sought. He sold it all…and bought you.

Written by Lee Johndrow

Lee is the Senior Leader of Abundant Grace Fellowship Church in Keene, NH

He is the father of five wonderful children. Married for over 26 years to his wife Tina. Loving life with family, friends, faith, fun and food!