“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” – Nelson Mandela
The recent death of Nelson Mandela struck a deeper chord
with me than it probably would have if he had died a few months earlier.
You see, in October, I started something called Freedom Creations – a social
enterprise that sells handmade knitted accessories and donates 100% of the
profit to International Justice Mission.
Freedom hits home
for me more than ever, now, and Nelson Mandela’s death got me thinking of this
quote of his: “For to be free is not
merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and
enhances the freedom of others.”
This man fought for freedom with his whole being – and
therein lies his freedom.
His freedom didn’t come in being released from jail, but in
enhancing the freedom of others.
The result? He freed
a nation.
Yet there’s still so
much work to be done.
The facts and problems can be staggering, even as you hear
them for the umpteenth time:
27 million people – women, men, girls, boys, souls
- trapped in brothels, bonded labour,
or some other form of slavery.
These facts and stories shocked me the first time I heard
them. As I learned more about modern-day slavery, I became more disturbed, more
upset, and more overwhelmed with the impossibility of a solution.
But then I realized this – I am in the position of freedom,
not for my own good, but for the good of others.
Freedom only becomes
real freedom when it’s used for the freedom of others, because we can’t afford to stand by while our brothers and sisters
suffer in slavery.
I’d had the idea of using my love for knitting for social
justice for almost a year.
In October of last year, I finally got it all (somewhat) together, and Freedom Creations was born.
I’ve been blown away by and so very thankful for all the
response and support it’s received – Freedom Creations is proof that a little
faith and boldness, with a heavy dose of God’s grace is all that’s needed for
world change. :)
I like to think of Nelson Mandela’s quote as an
in-his-own-words-version of this Bible verse in Galatians:
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But
do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly
in love.” Galatians 5:13 NIV
Our freedom is so
closely linked to our others-centred love.
Nothing is more freeing than having someone else’s freedom
be just as, if not more important than your own – it’s this upside-down paradox
of Jesus-type freedom. And it’s radically
awesome.
Because we’re all enslaved in this First-world,
self-absorbed culture, where we not only stand by as others are enslaved on
this earth, but often employ slaves ourselves. I employ 27 slaves.
And our only chance
at freedom is to chase freedom for our neighbor.
Freedom Creations exists not only to fight for the freedom
of modern-day slaves – but my own, too.
I hope you’ll join me. :)
and now for a giveaway....
One blessed reader will win this lovely, handmade, twisted, spring green ear warmer! (that's a lot of adjectives)
To enter:
- like the Freedom Creations Facebook page
- follow Freedom Creations on Twitter
- follow Freedom Creations on Instagram
- leave a comment here for Alyssa - a word of thanks or encouragement
- spread the word about this post and giveaway via facebook, twitter, instagram, pinterest or other social media site
You will get 1 entry for each of the above items, for a maximum of 5 entries per person. Simply leave a comment telling me what you have done.
Because of shipping costs, this giveaway is limited to US and Canadian residents.
I will announce a winner on Monday, January 20th at noon EST.
