Freedom & Fulfilment

Startling news from Saudi Arabia ! Women can vote in 4 years time! They might even be able to drive. The same forces which are driving the Arab Spring looks to be having an effect in that troubled land. At this stage, we cannot see how things will turn out, in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Syria, Yemen or Saudi Arabia.
But wherever we look, people long for freedom from tyranny and oppression, and are seeking to fulfil their dreams.
In the West, where people appear to be much more free and may chase whatever dreams they choose, many are not thriving. Suicide rates among young men are astonishingly high, and in the UK, according to the latest United Nations report, our children are at the bottom of the 'well-being league table in Europe. All is not well.
If chasing the wrong dreams for freedom & fulfilment can be so damaging, what leads to true freedom & fulfilment.
Jesus addressed exactly this issue, early in his ministry. '“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.' (Matthew 6.19-21)
Living in a greedy and materialistic culture, we can so easily think that getting more money and having the latest stuff will give us freedom & fulfilment. But this is just a deceptive trap to imprison us. Working harder and earning more money will not bring deep satisfaction. If our treasure turns out to be trash, we will be full of regrets.
'“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.' (Matthew 6.31-33)
Only having our priority on a Kingdom-focused life will bring real freedom and fulfilment.
So what is your priority in life? Good job, successful career, bigger house. Beware! That way leads to ruin. Go with Jesus today.
Best wishes,
Richard