Freedom, for Dr. King, was grounded in social justice; it could not be attained without sacrifice and self-denial.

Reflection

What do you want?

Advertisers are quick to respond, "You want the freedom to access easy credit; buy the latest car; indulge in quick-fix diets; enjoy violence in movies and video games; flaunt the perfect body; display the perfect home."

Instant gratification, we are told, is what we want.

What do you NEED?

Do we need to:

• listen with sensitivity to hear the needs of others and ourselves?
• feel vulnerable so we can see our humanness reflected in others?
• have faith to see God reflected in others?
• be truly free to truly live?

Balancing our wants and our needs can be like walking a tightrope. Wanting freedom challenges us to struggle for justice, without retreating. Needing freedom inspires us to fearlessly hold on to the freedom Christ offers.

To complete the balancing act and achieve the goal is to celebrate what it means to be truly free!

Prayer

Creator God, we give thanks for the gift of this new day, and for the freedom you have given men and women to make decisions to shape their individual lives. We give you thanks for the trust placed in us to make the right decisions to help shape our world. Sometimes, God, we think it would be so much easier if you would tell us what to do. But, deep down, we treasure that freedom, and the special responsibilities it brings with it. We ask for your guidance as we continue to walk the road to lasting freedom — the freedom you offer to us. Amen.