Who is Truly Free? (Updated from 7/6/2015)

"Look at the people. You tell me which ones are free. Free from debt. Anxiety. Stress. Fear. Failure. Indignity. Betrayal. How many wish that they were born knowing what they know now? Ask yourself how many would do things the same way over again, and how many would live their lives like me."

-- Jack Reacher, "Jack Reacher" (2012)

I was sitting in front of the television, with this banana, watching the movie "Jack Reacher" when Jack's dialogue took on a philosophical tone, and this quote adhered itself to the lackluster grey matter between my ears. 

I used to wonder how authors kept coming up with these tasty tidbits, and then I tried my hand at writing a couple of rough novels. It really isn't rocket science. But where it becomes "science" is when you have to keep your reader's attention after twenty Jack Reacher novels, especially after the movie where they miscast short Tom Cruise as the tall, and older, Jack Reacher. As my dad said, ex-football star and actor Howie Long would have been a much better choice to star as Reacher. 

Is it any wonder the author says he's written his last Reacher novel? He made a bundle giving up the rights, so the film industry could bastardize, I'm sorry, take "artistic liberties," with his character.  But, I digress.

I'm not sure there are many of us, that can make the statement Jack Reacher makes.  I know I wouldn't have been able to, not until the turn of the century.  

There are two, important things in my life, that I love my ex-wife for.  One is she gave me two of the greatest gifts I could have ever asked for - my kids.  The second is that she taught me, by virtue of my divorce decree, to be independent and free from debt, stress, fear, failure, indignity, and betrayal.  It was easy to learn. I didn't realize I'd collected all this baggage.  All that was required from me was to remember who I was, back in the day.  I wish I'd known then what I know now.  I sure as hell wouldn't do many things the same way.  Hell, half the things I wouldn't even consider.

But, today, how many would live their lives, like me?  Who of us is truly free?

We don't begin to know what freedom is until we come to a place in our lives where we have no need to impress anybody.

I've asked made this statement and addressed it in an earlier post, Who Owns You?   I think it addresses the point being made.  Who do you owe?  Who owns your life?  If you have debt, you are someone's indentured servant and, like most slaves, the masters have rigged the game so you will virtually have no chance of ever seeing freedom.  Now, I ask you again, being painfully indelicate, whose bitch are you?  Not very nice to hear is it?  It's easy to say, however.  It really rolls off the tongue like sweet nothings.  I'll let you chew on this "bitter banana peel" for a bit.  

You can try to deny it... no, you really can't.  Denying the painfully obvious just makes one look sad.  We've all been there, or are still there, so who are you really trying to convince?  Who are you gonna try to blame?  Huh?  It's your life and your choices.  One freedom we carry with us, right or wrong, is our freedom to choose what we do.

When there are no conflicts in you between material wealth and spiritual life, you have found yourself.

Like Adam in the Garden of Eden, life is full of choices.  The apples are put before us and the rules are simple - don't eat the forbidden fruit.  Unfortunately, we are human. And, as smart as many of us may think we are, we aren't.  The rich and powerful, the haves and have more, the beautiful people, doctors and lawyers, and the political elite, all fall from great heights, all the time, due to poor judgment, bad choices, debt, stress, etc. The rest of us don't fare much better.  Virtually no one is immune to wanting more than they can afford. Wanting more is the root of our failure... and our servitude.  For those thinking you are immune, do you own a car?  Why do you have insurance on it? Why do you have a Social Security Number?  Licenses? Identity cards?  Do you clock in and out, because you have to?  Answer to a boss, because you have to?  Do things because you have to, or because you're required to?  

Freedom becomes fleeting, in the blink of an eye.

What use is your "Wealth and Kingdom," if you don't have the "Liberation and Freedom" to be what you want to be.

Who among us is truly free?  I'll ask the question, then I'm back to my banana:  

"Who is in your wallet?"

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch - it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either view any more right or wrong than the other. Opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form their own opinions, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint.

I fervently hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning those opinions offered. After twenty-three years of military intelligence, I believe that engaging each other in this manner, and in this arena, is a way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience... and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. Following his service career, he spent 17 years working with the premier and world-renowned Western Institutional Review Board, helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. He also served 8 years on the Board of Directors for the Angela J. Bowen Foundation.

Ordained in 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As a weapon for his war on intolerance, he chose the pen. He wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's personal, spiritual path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony at: tolerantpastor@gmail.com