By Peggy Still –

Ancient societies treated slaves as things, not as people. The Israelites’ rules for the treatment of slaves were enlightened for their time. Israelites were the first to honor their slaves with human rights. Exodus 21:6 informs us that the master would pierce the ear of a slave to mark him for life. The pain in the lobe of the ear lasted only for a moment, but the scar was a constant reminder that he had chosen to be free to serve his master.

Our ultimate choice to serve the Lord is much the same. We are free to leave the Master, but would that be real freedom? We are released to throw off the responsibilities of righteousness, but would that bring us freedom? Given the choice, we may want to at times.

Truly free people make the choice and a commitment to serve Christ forever. They are free because of a passion for an ultimate purpose so demanding it calls all that they are to serve. All other loyalties are easily swept aside. Because He is first in our lives, we are ready to make any sacrifice rather than hold onto selfish freedom.

Once like a bird in prison I dwelt,
No freedom from my sorrow I felt.
But Jesus came and listened to me,
And glory to God, He set me free.

Goodbye to sin and things that confound,
Not all the world can turn me around.
Daily I’m working, I’m praying too,
And glory to God I’m going through.

He set me free, yes, He set me free,
He broke the bonds of prison for me.
I’m glory bound, my Jesus to see,
For glory to God, He set me free.

__________________________

[1] He Set Me Free, Words and Music by Albert E. Brumley

 

 

Peggy Still: Peggy currently serves as the Director of Administrative and Client Services for The Fuller Foundation in Pasadena, California. Peggy is a featured speaker in a variety of areas for women including finance, social issues and leadership. She also serves as a consultant to churches and other non-profit organizations in the areas of administration and fund-raising. Married to Mark for 33 years they have one daughter and raised two foster children. Peggy and Mark make their home in southern California.

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