Skylar's Blog & Podcast

John 8:31-32

To me, shoelaces are a lot like an appendix. I'm sure you're thinking that's completely random, but let me explain: you never really consider or think about your appendix until it isn't functioning correctly, the same goes with shoelaces. I realize some of you girls use shoelaces to accessorize or to add to different outfits; however, I would dare to say very few of us really give our shoelaces any consideration until they break or someone steals them out of our shoes. Then they become a HUGE deal, because we all know you can't wear a pair of shoes comfortably without shoelaces (unless of course you're weird and you enjoy no shoelaces). Since we never really appreciate shoelaces let's take a second and give them some respect. What is the purpose of the shoelace? More or less the shoelace exists to keep your shoes tied tightly together. Because of this you are free to run, jump, skip, crawl...whatever it is you do in your shoes without worrying about your shoes falling off or getting stuck in something. I'm actually going somewhere with this, I promise.

I would argue there is a very important principle at work here. You might be confused (then my work here is done...just kidding), so let me explain. It's because of the shoelaces ability to tighten your shoes together that you are free to do whatever and be free of worry. What I'm trying to get at is this: it is when we live under structure and in submission to something else that we are truly free. How is this? Let's take living in a country, how about living in America? What if America were to just drop any and all laws that have existed for over two and a half centuries? How would living in America go for everyone? It probably wouldn't go well at all. People would do whatever they wanted whenever they wanted. Murder, theft, rape, etc. would all increase unchecked because all the rules are gone! People would be restricted to safe houses and basements because of he fear to go outside. This is why it is within structure that we are truly free. Now, the culture we are living in says that truth is relative. That whatever you find as true does not necessarily mean that I will find it true as well. This sounds good and well. This might even sound freeing. It might sound like you are now free of answering to anything at any time!!! How incredible! However, Jesus makes a comment that goes right against this. He says: "...you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Jesus says it is the truth that sets us free, and not just any truth, but the truth that He is Lord and we may only be saved through Him (this truth means we must live a life according to how He asks us to live...we're under His authority). Wait a minute...that doesn't sound freeing...that sounds kind of restrictive. Look back to what we were talking about: structure and boundaries = freedom. Jesus is God and is our Savior, and it is only when we believe that we truly experience freedom. Paul makes it clear in Romans 6:16 we will be enslaved by one of two things: sin or righteousness. The former (sin) leads to death, and the latter (righteousness) leads to life. It is only when we surrender to God, and offer Him our life that we find freedom. It is only when we are a slave that we are free. Weird huh? It's just like with shoelaces!