But Naaman went away angry and said, ‘I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.’
Years ago, when you’re asked to fill up a form, you only have three checkboxes for civil status: single, married, widowed. No divorce, no open relationships, and no option for ‘it’s complicated’. Freedom, by our definition, has taught us that we can personalize our lives as we see fit. We break rules, revise it, rename it, reinvent it - - just so it could feed our individualities, self-expression and independence. We rhyme along Henley’s Invictus: ‘I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul’. And it’s not pointing to those handcrafted wedding concepts, customized gears, or specified meal orders. It’s a lot about providing exception to rules and reasons to be excused. We’re beginning to rebuild Babel instead of upholding the Bible. Our thumbmarks against God’s blueprint. Our will against His.
Naaman was a man of stature and he knew it. As commander of Aram’s army and the king’s favorite hero, he grew accustomed to welcome parties and silver platters. His words had power and all resource under his feet. Until leprosy hit him. Surely, every doctor in his country came to attend him. But finding no answers, his desperation yielded to his slave girl’s suggestion: see Elisha. Bringing along the king’s pass, golds for payment, and an entourage, he had very high hopes to this journey. But contrary to his title and expectations, no prophet came to him at the door. Instead, a lowly servant met him with Elisha's message: wash seven times in Jordan river. ‘That’s it?!! No rituals, no wonders from heaven, and he won't see me at least? Me? Am I not an honorable official? And what’s that dipping in Jordan? Sure I deserve something more complicated and original!’ He hated the simplicity of the cure and if not for the prompting of his faithful servants, he would have never taken the plunge.
When pride creeps in, foolishness is next. When we see His will fall short from our self-sketched plans, we rally behind ours. Or when His answers are not what we expect, resembling a brat, we cry in protest. Like Naaman, we put on a disguise, seemingly seeking His help, when actually we wanted Him to serve ours. Our idea of a cool god is one who is on call whenever we knock and do wonders whenever we need. We want Him to accept us for who we are and see beyond our faults. By that, we mean, to just let it go and let us be. That’s our life’s plan. All of us. We want a god who will make a way for everyone to win the grand lotto, and have the best partner, and be the next U.S. President. How does that sound? Isn’t it better to give rules to a child than spoil his every want? Guess who will be more independent and mature years after? Being guided by His principles doesn’t mean our actions are limited. Freedom from sin actually allows us to enjoy life more. How do love, peace and hope sound to you? Yes, a free man!
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