Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
I’ve never experienced my Dad as being as free and uninhibited as he is right now. As his dementia/Alzheimer’s continues to change his brain chemistry he doesn’t seem to be as mentally preoccupied, rigid or having to be in control of all the details in his world. And he’s developed this sense of humor, right out of nowhere, from which a steady stream of one-liners flow, one right after another. Then there’s the singing, at any given moment Dad just bursts into song, “Good morning, good morning… we’ve danced the whole night through…”
I so enjoy his new found freedom, but how I wish it had become a part of his life well before he turned 90. It would’ve been awesome to experience such childlike spontaneity in him as a husband, dad and friend. He was burdened, serious and seldom ever able to relax very much, always preparing to “kick-back” but never quite able to really get there…
As I read Paul’s words about freedom in 2 Corinthians 3, I ponder where I’m no less like Dad in my rigidity, preparationism, control and multiple inhibitions. What would it look like for the Spirit of God to set me free, right now, as a husband, dad, friend, and as a new granddad? How would a greater reflecting upon the glory and grace of Jesus so transform my heart that I would be known to break into song, love deeper and laugh louder than ever, relax, be present in conversations, not have to be in control of as much stuff, and simply set people at ease who are around me? Got any inhibitions in your life for which the breath of God and the grace of Jesus might be the order of the day, week and month, year?
