Learning to Let Go: Finding Freedom in SurrenderSample

DAY 3: WHERE’S THE FUN IN THAT?

Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living. (Romans 6:18 NLT)

In his autobiographical essay, “My Family’s Slave,” Filipino-American Pulitzer award winner Alex Tizon talks about Eudocia Tomas Pulido, whom he refers to as Lola, “the woman who had spent 56 years as a slave in [his] family’s household.” His parents treated her poorly and gave her no pay. Eventually, when Lola was 75 and Alex had a family of his own, he took her not as a slave, but as part of his family. He gave her “license to do whatever she wanted… She could relax—and be free—for the first time in her life.” And yet, Lola kept on living like a slave. Having spent most of her life as one, she just couldn’t break free from that identity.

We may find ourselves in a similar situation. Although Jesus has already freed us from our slavery to sin, we find ourselves living like we haven’t been freed. We find ourselves making the same old mistakes and falling into the same old traps. We do whatever we want. We watch whatever, drink whenever, party wherever, be intimate with whoever. YOLO, we say. You only live once, so live with no regrets and just enjoy life. Indulge.

But this isn’t the life God wants for us. He freed us from sin so we can be “slaves to righteous living” (Romans 6:18). Maybe we find this kind of life boring. Maybe we think that following a set of rules is very limiting… that it takes the fun out of living. But what we don’t realize is that indulging in worldly pleasures is succumbing to Satan, the worst oppressor of all, who will “steal and kill and destroy” us (John 10:10) and who “prowls around like a roaring lion” and devours us (1 Peter 5:8). Now, where’s the fun in that?

And so, rather than just living with no regrets, it’s more important to do the things we will not regret in the end. Because it’s true. We only live once. So, why should we gamble that one and only soul we have in exchange for the pleasures of this world? (Mark 8:36). Let’s turn our back from the life of sin and embrace the Good Life–the Life of Righteous Living… the Life that pleases and honors God. Now that’s real fun.

How would you define a “fun life”? What changes do you have to make so that your life pleases and honors God?

Merciful God, please forgive me for delighting in the world instead of Your Words. I commit to being a Slave to Righteousness so I may honor Your Holy Name.