“And
you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free”.-John 8:32 Amplified
Bible
Earlier on this year, I and two
girlfriends of mine decided to go and watch the film"12 Years a
Slave" immediately it was released. It was worth every penny. By the time
we left the cinema, I realized that I had not only been entertained but also
challenged to do some soul searching with provoking thoughts which I decided to
share only when the film becomes available in DVD form. Talk of delayed
gratification!
I noticed that as the film
progressed, it was easy to empathize with the increasing frustration of Solomon
Northup (acted superbly by Chiwetel Ejiofor) who had been deceived, kidnapped
and sold into slavery. Following a failed attempt at escape, he is forced to
hide the truth about his literacy but eventually gains his freedom with the
help of a kindly labourer Bass(Brad Pitt).
At the end of the film I was left
in tears but as I reached out for a tissue, the disturbing thought of
how Solomon Northup's loss of freedom was enacted by a change of location
(from Saratoga, New York to New Orleans) crossed my mind. Could a change of
location possibly mean or lead to a change in the status of liberty? This
location need not be physical as seen in the film. Unfortunately, there is every
possibility of being free in some areas while still held captive in others.
What then is the definition of
freedom and how can real freedom be attained and maintained? Can one transfer
freedom or its principles to other areas of life so that it can be experienced
in all facets of life? Is there a process of freedom or is it a once for all
event? We shall be considering these issues in greater detail in the New Year
but I just thought that we might as well start the ball rolling.
As we celebrate this season, let us remember that the purpose
of the birth of Christ is to set us free(regardless of how long we
have been held bound) and that God intends this freedom to be thorough and
complete. It is however through our cooperation with the Holy Spirit that we
can attain this freedom in all of its entirety.
Remember the reason for the
season,
Grace Tom-Lawyer
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