Price of freedom

Matthew 8 : 28 - 34
It is often thought that we can fill ourselves with more of the Lord ever so easily. But the price is actually quite high. The destructive forces (legion) in the men in today's gospel flee at Jesus' command. But they flee into a herd of swine that then perished. There was a significant loss to the town in order that these two persons were freed.

Liberation from the grip of the powers of this world never comes cheap. There is always some attachment that we may have to give up, even something good....in order to gain what is "better". Jesus is always ready to free us from anything that binds us and keeps us from the love of God. The question is "are we willing?"

I realized last week as I spoke with a spiritual friend that I tend to be drawn into desolation by some of my thought processes - that initially lead to "rational" concern....then gradually to worry and anxiety. The change is subtle - for it is not easy to recognize where the the change comes in. What is a "rational concern with practical details" seems so right at the beginning......after all, we should use our human minds to think things through. But the caution is that soon we get caught up in fears and anxieties that block the love and grace of God, shining through the situation....... In order to be "freed" though, I do need to part with my strong will about how things should work out. In the end, the question is how much are we willing to pay in order to receive God's love and freeing grace?