When Freedom is Staring You in The Face

[Original Photo gotten from Picfor.me edited by @ayostephens]

Opened Prisons.

I once heard a story about a King who was overthrown by his brother. He was captured by his brother and kept in a prison with open doors. Ever wondered what a prison with open doors would look like. Anyone could just walk away, why call it a prison? Yes the King was kept in a prison but the doors were left open and I would tell you how. 

The king was known for his unhealthy eating habits. He ate too much which made him overweight. So the prison was built around him and there was a normal sized door made at the entrance and every day his brother would have his servants deliver the choicest food and wine to the door. The king had choices to make. In fact, his freedom was his choice. He either ate more fine and delicious meals and got bigger or denied himself and got out after a while.

When I first heard this story, it spoke to me in a deep way because I saw myself and all the ‘good things’ I didn’t want to forfeit for the ‘better’ in the words of the story. And a lot of people are in such situations, in our face stares freedom but instead of embracing it like a long lost friend we stare back at it like a stranger. We all know the places in our very own lives freedom keeps calling, it could be saving and making wise choices for a desirable future, getting debt free, breaking an addiction or in fact knowing where you are going to go when you leave this earth. Freedom calls, freedom stares and most of the time whether we experience it is dependent on the choices we make.

A wise friend once told me this ‘the future, you might not know or are not certain about, it seems ‘uncontrollable’ but you can make controllable choices right here in your present to control a future that seems uncontrollable’. I think that’s some good advice we could all use. No matter where you are right now in your life, today’s choices can be the catalyst for your tomorrow’s wishes.

One thing I would like to leave you with, all things might appear ‘good’ but not all things are necessary for you. Do not be caught under the yoke of the good things thereby being hindered to getting to the better. Freedom calls and embracing it is always for the better.