Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Freedom In A Cup

My kids loved the movie Open Season. One of their favorite lines from the movie is when Elliot drinks some coffee that he found in the dumpster and says, “(sip) ew. (sip) Ew. (sip) EW! (flying off the handle with the jolt of caffeine) It’s terrible and wonderful at the same time! It’s freedom in a cup!!!”


Now, being the coffee connoisseur I am, that line has stuck with me. It also could be that all three of my kids have taken turns quoting this line in character, oh, let’s say a hundred times or so, but whatever the case, it’s an interesting line….

Although with no comedic tone, I say something similar in my mind almost every time I read the following verse in each of the gospel accounts:

“He went away a second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is not
possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it,
may Your will be done.’”
Matthew 26:42

Ew. Talk about being terrible and wonderful at the same time.
Terrible for Jesus, wonderful for us.
Terrible that He knew how painful it would be to die on the cross.
Wonderful that He did the will of the Father anyway.
The cup of obedience to death meant freedom to live for us.
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
John 8:36

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened
again by a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1

What should we do with this freedom then? LIVE like we’ve been freed, that’s what! Before we were slaves to sin, now we’re not if we are saved ones. It says so in 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

See? Even when we’re tempted by sin, we’ve been given the power and the freedom to escape it. Can I hear an Amen? Raise the roof!

What cup has He given you to drink right now?
Are you willing to submit your will to His will?
Can you find the wonderful in the midst of the "ews" of your circumstances?

Remember His cup and ponder your own each time you sip your terrible but wonderful at the same time java (or tea) each morning. It’s so easy to keep the knowledge of our Savior’s sacrifice tucked away in the corner of our minds, but if we reflect on it day after day, it will surely soak in and change us from the inside out as a result. As we receive pleasure according to His will, let's thank Him. As we endure pain according to His will, let's follow Christ’s example.

Let’s live, breathe and obey in freedom as FREED ones, friends. It’s the only thing better than a coffee buzz.

“For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead,
He cannot die again;
death no longer has mastery over Him.
The death He died, He died to sin once for all;
but the life He lives, He lives to God.
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin
but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 6:9-11


16 friends shared a comment:

Denise said...

Awesome post dear, love you.

Donalacasa said...

I was reminded of a story I heard, perhaps in a psychology class, of a dog who was chained in the same position for years and years. One day, he was no longer leashed but remained in that same position he had been in when he was chained.

Sometimes, I think many have been in bondage for so long that they don't know they have the freedom to walk away from the place they have been chained.

May the Lord open our eyes to see that the chains are no longer there and that we are free indeed.

Blessings!

Kim @ Homesteader's Heart said...

Oh how I"ve missed your posts my friend. But I'm back (at least for now).
This was so well put. But now I have the urge to see Open Season and that's probably not the thing you wanted me to leave with today huh? LOL
Hugs to you my sweet friend.
Kim

Joanne Sher said...

That bittersweet cup. Excellent reminder.

Dee Yoder said...

What a beautiful reminder of the price Christ paid for us--I sure hope I live my life showing how much I appreciate the FREEDOM He gave me with His decision.

SheriYates said...

Excellent Post! Love the word picture!

Billy Coffey said...

Oh wow! That was so good!

Hillary @ The Other Mama said...

Amen and AWESOME! Great analogy!

Laury said...

Amen! Hear me? Great post. I'm reminded of that cup every time during communion.

Karen Hossink said...

Oh, yes.
There was wonderful in His terrible. So, too, I know there must be wonderful in my cup today.
Thanks for the reminder!

Carrie Stone said...

Very well said. You have a very creative way of sharing from the heart of God. May all of us who believe be high on Him today as we glorify Him in everything we do.

Praise and Coffee said...

Beautiful post LauraLee! And I've never seen the movie, but it's my new favorite line! :)
Sue

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

I think this to be one of your best; why? Because it leaves me with a good pondering and wishing I'd caught that line while watching the movie! Freedom in a cup. That's everything in a nutshell for the life of a believer.

May I think longer and harder about the pressing of my lips upon the cups I've been given, realizing that even in the "ew" there is a point to the swallow.

Beautifully written, friend.

peace~elaien

Lori Laws said...

Amen and Amen! I'm ready to raise the roof!

Debra Kaye said...

Lalee,

I don't think i've seen the movie although I might have with one of my nephews but I can certainly appreciate the coffee mug filled.

What a beautiful post, my friend. How Jesus was obedient to the point of death on that cross always just brings me to such a place of 'i can't scarce take it in'....I find myself there again at this moment.

He is beautiful beyond description
Too marvelous for words
Too wonderful for comprehension...like nothing ever seen or heard! Amen!

Terri Tiffany said...

Great analogy--it's hard to remember somedays the freedom we are given when we struggle with our own chains we put on ourselves during tough times. Thank you for this sweet reminder.