Shackles and Serenity

Yesterday I became aware of an incredible scene of contrast unfolding before me -- a contrast between freedom and bondage.

I spent the morning with dear friends at a sentencing hearing at the Fauquier County Court, including offering brief testimony as a character witness. My friend is a terrific woman and great mom, but she has made some terrible choices that resulted in a lot of people being hurt. I sat there in tears as she shared her sorrow with the court, fully admitting her wrongs, taking full responsibility for the harm she has caused, and accepting whatever consequences the court felt were appropriate. At the end of the sentencing, she was taken into custody and has now spent her first night in jail.

However, after the hearing, I encountered another woman on the sidewalk outside the courtroom. Just looking into her eyes revealed so much; she is obviously carrying a lot of bitterness and heartache. In the brief conversation that followed, I learned that she has embraced a lie and has shared that lie with others -- a lie that empowers her sense of anger and combativeness. She was quick to throw out accusations and blame, though she wrapped it all in the language of spirituality and religion. As she walked away, she obviously carried this burden with her. In her efforts to be hurtful, she merely revealed just how hurting she is inside.

I realized that these two women offer a powerful contrast. Though one of them left that courtroom in physical shackles, she also walked away with a sense of freedom and serenity. She has surrendered herself to the brokenness, and in her surrender she has discovered real victory. Yes, she has to endure very difficult consequences, but she can do so knowing that she is surrounded by compassion and respect for her honesty and humility as well as a loving commitment to her and her family. Her surrender is resulting in peace and healing.

The other woman walked away with a different set of shackles. She might be free to go about her business, but she does so in the deceptive bondage of bitterness. Rather than surrendering to God's grace, she chooses to pick fights. As a result, instead of experiencing victory and serenity, her combativeness just results in more people getting hurt.

This world is already filled with such sadness and tragedy. And though I understand the instinctive desire for justice and the emotional need to vent frustrations, the last thing the world needs is more conflict. Life is just too brief and precious to be wasted in bondage, especially when freedom is so easily gained through the surrender of our pride and anger.

I'm hoping that the next time I feel my "rights" challenged or my irritation provoked, I'll remember the contrast of these two women. May their example serve as a reminder to simply surrender it all and walk away free.