Kenneth L. Samuel: Lord of Liberation
"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me." - Exodus 20:2-3 (NIV)
Liberation Theology is a lens through which God is understood and related to as the Divine Being who sets us free from the sins of every kind of oppression. This understanding of God is especially vital to persons who have historically and systemically experienced bondage... even bondage that has been sanctioned by the church.
Upon Israel's exodus from Egyptian enslavement, God establishes a covenant with Israel through the laws given to Moses. And in establishing this covenant, God makes it quite clear that Israel's devotion to God is not due to some nebulous notions of spirituality. Israel should be devoted to God because God is the Divine Agent of their liberation from bondage in Egypt.
Israel could not be free to serve God and to build their own nation, as long as Israel was captive to the economic and political exploitation of the Egyptians. Our freedom from oppression (of any variety) is precisely what makes us free to realize our own visions and invest in ourselves.
What has you inhibited and constrained from living your best life today? Who or what forbids you from being all that you believe God created you to be?
Oprah Winfrey says: "If you can't love it... eat it... wear it... sleep with it... make peace with it... gain strength from it... or find joy in it.... it's time to be free from it."
Salvation actually means to be set free. How saved are we? How saved do we want to be?
Jesus said: "Whoever the Son sets free, is free indeed."
Prayer
"Lift every voice and sing, 'til earth and heaven ring / Ring with the harmonies of liberty"