Lion's Freedom

We like our freedom, right? I mean that’s been a topic of discussion leading up this election and all throughout this pandemic. We argue about our rights and what we deserve. I personally love my freedoms. I enjoy being able to make the decision I want on where I go, what I do and how I spend my time. I also have a job where I get to follow my passions and connect in ways I feel are best for our church and community.
But then I saw a meme on Facebook this week that showed a picture of two separate lions. One was in a cage at the zoo and the other was sitting surrounded only by grass. The caption read, “One of these lions has security, free shelter, and free medical care. The other lion has no assurances. Everything about his quality of life is his own responsibility.”
Now, based upon who posted this, I assume they felt like the free lion was the winner in this scenario. He was free. He could roam and feed by his desires. He had lots of opportunity to make his own choices. He could go wherever, whenever he wanted.
Except he can’t. His life is still dictated by thousands of other circumstances beyond his control. Drought and famine will impact his feeding. Disease and sickness will affect how he survives. He can only go where his feet can carry him and where he can find food. But, true, he can and does make his own choices. And he also faces the responsibility for those choices.
And the caged lion doesn’t have it great either, necessarily. He doesn’t get to make many choices. His care is dependent upon those who are caring for him. Does he have good caretakers who provide him the best meat, a clean cage and strive to keep him healthy? Or does he have owners who simply throw whatever meat in his cage, barely keep him alive and don’t care about his overall well-being?
My point is this: whether in freedom or in captivity, our attitude is what we make it. Personally, I enjoy having freedoms. I don’t mind the responsibility and work that is necessary. I’m willing to work for what I get. But I also like to be taken care of, too. I like that I have assurances that I don’t have to worry about things that others around the world worry about. I enjoy social services that would help pay my bills or provide me groceries if necessary.
So what are we to do? For me, no matter how this presidential race turns out and no matter how long we are in this pandemic status, I trust that God is still in charge. And his sovereignty is all that I need to know that ‘It is well with my soul.’ God bless.