Discovering the Pathway to Real Life and Lasting Joy
What does it mean to be truly free? Our world shouts that freedom is the power to choose, to disregard limits, to live by our own rules. For most of my life, I found myself drawn to this idea. I thought I was searching for independence, for the ability to shape my life as I pleased. But as the years went by, I began to sense a restlessness—a quiet ache for something deeper, something that my choices and ambitions could never quite satisfy.
It was in these searching moments that I discovered a profound truth: true freedom is not found in unrestrained living, but in the gentle boundaries of God’s presence. The more I’ve pondered this, the clearer it has become that the greatest liberty is not about escaping all rules, but about embracing the pattern God has lovingly set before us.
Rethinking Freedom: Beyond the Illusion of Autonomy
I once believed, as many do, that freedom means having no restrictions—that the highest good was to do whatever I wished, whenever I wished. But time and experience have a way of testing such beliefs. The more I chased after my own desires, the more I became aware of the subtle chains that began to form: anxiety about the future, regrets from the past, and the endless pressure to define and reinvent myself.
The Bible paints a different picture. In Hebrews 8, we read about God giving Moses specific instructions for building the tabernacle, the special place where His presence would dwell among the people. Moses was not invited to improvise or add his own creativity—he was called to follow the pattern God Himself supplied. At first glance, these rules seem restrictive, but looking closer, I see that they are invitations to experience God’s glory as it truly is, not as I imagine it should be.
This story, tucked within the pages of Scripture, speaks volumes to me. It suggests that God does not give commandments to hold us back, but to lead us into the fullness of His presence and love. There is a freedom, paradoxical yet real, that can only be found when I choose to trust that God’s ways are higher than my own.
The Gift of God’s Pattern
When Moses built the tabernacle according to God’s precise instructions, he was not merely following a list of rules—he was participating in a divine partnership. God’s pattern wasn’t arbitrary; it was a reflection of something heavenly, something breathtaking in its perfection and purpose. Moses’ obedience became the means through which the people of Israel encountered God’s mercy, guidance, and sustaining presence.
This makes me wonder: what patterns am I following in my own life? Am I guided by wisdom that comes from above, or am I simply doing what seems right in my own eyes? When I’ve tried to redesign my life according to my own blueprints, I’ve often ended up feeling lost or dissatisfied. But in the seasons when I’ve surrendered to God’s ways, I’ve discovered a peace and a sense of belonging that cannot be found anywhere else.
Freedom Is Not About Earning, But Receiving
One of the hardest lessons I’ve had to learn is that true freedom is not something I can earn or construct myself. Redemption—the rescue from all that binds or diminishes us—is God’s work, not mine. It is a gift, not an achievement. The Bible reminds me that real faith is not something I muster up, but something revealed to me by a God who delights to save.
This is humbling, and yet so liberating. All around me, I hear voices insisting that we must carve out our own path, define our own truth, and save ourselves from whatever ails us. But this relentless striving leaves me weary and burdened. When I remember that salvation is a gift—grace freely given by a loving God—I am released from the pressure of self-salvation. Instead, I’m invited to rest in the assurance that God’s work is enough.
Why God’s Pattern Is Worth Following
It’s tempting to imagine that life would be easier without God’s commandments, that true joy is found in breaking free from any restraints. But when I look at the world around me—and, if I’m honest, at my own life—I see that most of our deepest wounds come from straying from God’s ways. Broken relationships, anxiety, envy, regret: these are not the fruits of obedience, but of wandering away from the light God provides.
God’s instructions are not arbitrary hoops to jump through. They are the framework for a life that works, a life that flourishes. Like the laws of physics that keep an airplane in the sky, God’s commandments are the principles that allow us to soar. When I ignore them, I don’t find freedom—I find myself crashing into walls of my own making.
Experiencing True Freedom in God’s Presence
There’s a saying that the proof is in the living. As I’ve sought to follow God’s pattern, I have tasted a freedom that is deeper than mere independence. In God’s presence, I am not left to the tyranny of my own desires or the endlessly shifting standards of the world. I am safe, known, and beloved.
This freedom is not the absence of boundaries, but the discovery of the right ones—the ones that protect and nourish my soul. In God’s care, I am not hemmed in but liberated to become who I am truly meant to be. His boundaries don’t stifle me; they steward me into a life of purpose and peace.
And when I falter—and I often do—I remember that God’s presence is a place of mercy as well as instruction. The same God who gave Moses a pattern for the tabernacle is the God who welcomes me with open arms, not because I’ve followed everything perfectly, but because He is gracious and good.
The Real Meaning of Freedom
If ignoring God led to the happiest, most fulfilled lives, then those who reject Him should be the most joyful people on earth. But time and again, I’ve seen the opposite: chasing after our own way often leads to dissatisfaction, addiction, and a sense of being trapped by things we can’t control.
True freedom, I am learning, is found in surrendering to God’s love. His presence is the one place where my soul is truly at rest. It is here, among His unchanging promises and wise instructions, that I know I am free—not because I am doing whatever I want, but because I am living as I was created to live.
Choosing to Trust God’s Pattern
Living in God’s presence means I don’t have to invent a new path every day or carry the anxiety of getting everything just right. I am invited to trust the One who knows me best and loves me most, to follow the pattern He has revealed in His Word.
Faith is not a leap into the unknown, but a step into the light that God provides. As I lean into His commands and seek to do what He asks, I find that faith and obedience are the twin wings that lift me into real life. The journey is not always easy—sometimes God’s ways feel difficult or even countercultural—but the fruit is always worth it: a life marked by peace, courage, and freedom.
Living Free: A Daily Invitation
As I reflect on these truths, I am challenged to live each day rooted in God’s presence. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about direction. When I stumble, I know I can return to Him. When I am tempted to pursue “freedom” on my own terms, I remember that God’s pattern leads to life.
Obedience is not a burden, but a joy—a daily surrender that opens my eyes to the beauty of God’s design. Faith is not a one-time decision, but a continual turning toward the One who gives true freedom. In all of this, I am learning that real life begins where God’s presence is welcomed, where His Word is treasured, and where His love is trusted above all else.
May we have the courage to let go of our own designs and embrace the freedom that only comes from following God’s pattern. In His presence, we are most alive, most secure, and most free. That is the promise, and the invitation, that God extends to each of us—today and always.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 