Freedom // Eagle

Define the word : freedom.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as : ‘the condition or right of being able or allowed to do, say, think, etc. whatever you want to, without being controlled or limited. ‘

Merriam-webster, gives a broader definition : ‘ the quality or state of being free. ‘

But what is freedom.

Whenever I look at birds flying, I sense freedom. One may often think of freedom when they see an eagle soaring high.

I used to see freedom as the ability to do whatever I want without being controlled or limited. But, with due respect to those penning definitions at Cambridge, I no longer see freedom as that. I have found that freedom must also encompass the ability (or freedom) to say no to what we want to.

Bear with me.

Yes an eagle flies high, seemingly being able to achieve what it wants without limit. But in the process, it possesses the freedom to wait till the wind conditions are right and rise above the storm clouds. It has the freedom to choose to do what it wants yes, yet only when it feels appropriate, and only when it truly can.

So lets think about the process an eagle goes through before it flies high in freedom. It learns to wait, it learns to fly, being train by its own mother. At one stage of its life, it actually pulls out its own feathers so that it can stay healthy and extend its lifespan. Those to us, may not be processes that look free. But that is freedom, a freedom to go through a season in life where limitations seems obvious. And when the time comes to soar, an eagle soars free with the expert ability to sense the weather conditions and the wind. Knowing when to stop, and when to rise as it needs to (even though it may not want to).

Maybe popular culture have trained us towards an unhealthy definition of freedom, making us think that freedom is having whatever we want. But, for me I want to learn yielded freedom, freedom under control, because that to me is true freedom. The freedom to make choices that are wise, and then to soar high, the freedom to say no, when its not necessarily good for me.

Today, if you are feeling a little limited, or in a season of training, may this encourage you. Be patient with the process, for then you will have true freedom to soar high like an eagle. Realising that a trained warrior is way more free, than an untrained one.

And if you are in a season where you are really free to do what you want, may you also find freedom to do choose well, to choose what is the best, and to say no to what is second best for you.