September 11—It’s a date that will live in the minds of our generations as an event, a horrific event. It was an event that led to two wars, including one called Enduring Freedom.
We all want freedom. I hear it as people scream at each other on Facebook on the runup to the election. (How soon until this is over?) Although it seems that we all have different opinions on what constitutes freedom (from taxes, from gun regulations or guns, from consequences or responsibility—it goes on and on). But we all agree it’s important.
Freedom is also important to the millions of people who are caught in slavery—whether forced labor, sex trafficking, or debt bondage. Most cannot imagine freedom; they’re locked in hopelessness.
If you live in the Lancaster area, you can help bring them hope. Freedom Weekend takes place October 5–7. You can learn more about the issues on Friday evening, raise some funds and bring awareness to others through the walk on Saturday morning, score some cool crafts or try your luck at the silent auction, dance for the cause at the gala Saturday evening, or learn more at church Sunday morning.
Slavery occurs in your backyard. Take some steps today to bring freedom to the captives. It was the mission of the Messiah:
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.(Isaiah 61:1–3)
Let’s make it our mission too.