Trapped In Their Cage or My Own?
Evil Regimes and Lonely People
Recently in a conversation with some friends, I made the statement that “I wish I had enjoyed learning when in school as I do at this stage in life”. An intriguing and at times depressing history of evil regimes led by evil people brings in focus the purpose of walls.
When on June 12, 1987 President Ronald Reagan said “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”, he started a chain reaction that moved the world out of the cold war and brought down the former Soviet Union. The wall built in Berlin was primarily for keeping their own people in rather than to keep others out. Those trapped inside the walls wanted out; they wanted to be with their families and to be able to live out their lives in freedom having a better chance for a better life.
The wall Reagan demanded to be torn down was the wall that separated East Berlin (the communist side) from West Berlin (the free side). Reagan knew then, and we who’ve studied communist regimes or seen them firsthand know the suffering of many within those walls of separation. Millions, yes, I said millions, have suffered and died under the godless hand of dictators and regimes where communism and socialism reigned supreme.
There is another tragedy that may be at the heart of it all. Those who do not know the love of God in a relationship with Jesus Christ may be trapped inside our own walls of separation. Jesus came to set us free and is fully capable of doing so. Some – too many – don’t yet know Jesus in a saving faith; but others who do know Him and are saved are still trapped in walls that can be torn down.
I know I may be opening more questions and issues than I am settling, but we need to know for ourselves and tell those in our circle of influence, that Jesus wants us free – free to love God and each other. (Matthew 22: 37-40)
Questions:
1. Do you know how loved you are by your heavenly Father, God the Father of Jesus Christ?
2. Do you love Him?
3. Do you love others with the love of Jesus…starting at home?
4. Do you love yourself appropriately and accept the way you are made and your purpose for being created?
5. Do you know what is holding you back if the answer to any of the first 4 questions is no?
I will create a series in the next few weeks using the articles of the 52 Week Plan to answer these questions or at least get us thinking about how God wants us to reach healthy conclusions that tear down walls and set us free to love and be loved. I don’t write this is pride as if I have all the answers. However, I am old enough to have watched people search and find the freedom Jesus offers. I have watched others stay trapped when, by God’s grace, they could be free.