God gives us a new law, making us a people who do not just look out after our own interests. God gives us a law that connects us to the lives and needs of others.
God’s gift of the Ten Commandments is also a sign: We will only be successful – we will only flourish – if we are willing to limit our individual freedoms for the sake of the whole we can become. So, we will not murder or lie or steal, even if it seems to be in our best interests. We will honor our parents, even if this proves difficult. We will refrain from following baser urges, such as desiring a neighbor’s goods or spouse. We will, against what seems like common sense, take a day off every week to worship God, and give time off as well to those who serve us, children and even animals And we will fight for justice and work for peace – even when it takes us to the Selmas of the world.
Loving God and our neighbor means accepting limits. But in the limits, we find a greater freedom.
This message is excerpted from “Set free” by Katie Hines-Shah in the March/April 2023 Gather magazine.
Copyright © 2024 Women of the ELCA. Inquiries for permission to reproduce should be directed to [email protected].