Wild & Free: Living A Life Unbound
If you've felt the wind whipping through your hair on the crest of a ridge or the sun warming your face. Or view a valley below, the tapestry of vibrant greens and blues of the landscape, or the pastel palette of a sunrise or sunset. In these moments, I am free.
This is the Wild & Free spirit.
The inspiration for this concept came from a pair of magnificent Mustang horses I've grown to know. Each week, I watch my daughter ride these majestic creatures. Though trained and disciplined, they retain a spark of that wild spirit, a reminder of their days roaming freely across the desert landscape.
For me, mountains represent this same sense of freedom. When I hike or backpack, I shed the social and familial constraints that bind us in our daily lives. There are only two priorities in the mountains: to enjoy the experience and survive. It's simple, yet profound.
This unbridled freedom is echoed in the words of the Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:13-15:
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
But do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
The freedom Christ offers is not a license for self-indulgence. It's a call to serve others and live a life of love.
I find the best analogy for this freedom in the metaphor of a freeway. There are lanes, speed limits, and consequences for breaking the rules. But within those guidelines, we can choose our own car, music, destinations, and even speed. This is the essence of the Christ-filled life: not about rigid rules or conformity, but about journeying in harmony with a loving Father, a supernatural guiding of the Spirit, and loving one another.
We are free to live on this planet, make choices, and create a life that is healthy and fruitful. We are called to live "Wild & Free" as we make our mark on the world.
If you're unfamiliar with the poem "The Dash" by Linda Ellis, I encourage you to read it. It beautifully captures the essence of our short time on earth and the importance of living it fully.
Living a "Wild & Free" life means embracing our freedom in Christ while remaining grounded in love and service to others. It's about living authentically, embracing our passions, and making a difference in the world.
So go forth and live "Wild and free." Let your light shine and be a beacon of hope and inspiration to those around you.
Remember, in and through Christ you are free!
Thanks,
John Nelson
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