A Slave Vs A Free Man

Reflecting on Archbishop's wisdom words about wealth, happiness and success, I was inspired by this wisdom while I'm praying during my daily devotion.

It's about ATTACHMENT and DETACHMENT, It's about being the FREE MAN and being the SLAVE.

There are some bible verses in the bible about being freedom. And most of us don't really understand what it means by being FREE. 

When our mind, our heart, our body are attached to something, we are no longer free.

Being FREE meaning that we are detached from anything that causing us becoming hunger for more and chasing them endlessly.

Things in this world like money, power, recognition, approval, health are all in neutral position. There are neither good nor bad. However, we are the one who have a free will to choose whom we wanna be

From my reflection, there are some different characteristic of being Slave and a Free Man.

1. FREE MAN is Detached, SLAVE is attached

For eg, when we are the master of money, we won't be worry too much about whether our money is enough or not. When we are attached to God, we trust in God's providence that God always gives us enough for our needs.

However, if we are the slave of money, we will say that we never have enough money, we will be constantly worry about our future, our children's education, etc and chasing endlessly even some people go to the extend sacrificing their family and loved ones 

2. FREE MAN feels contented, SLAVE feels never enough

When we feel contented about ourselves, happy with who we are and our value is not defined by other's approval, we are the master of ourselves.

On the contrary, if we always feel that we are never enough, haunted and subjected by other's approval especially in this social media age. Unknowingly, we are the slave of others

3. FREE MAN feels indifference, Slave finds the difference

What I meant is that in every situation, either good or bad, when we detach from things, our faith is not controlled by them. We are indifference with having or losing temporary blessings. 

Most of people have faith when God give them what they want, for eg good health, everything that is good according to them.

But when sickness, misfortunes come, they are disappointed, start losing their faith.

As I wrote this, I am still human with limitation and weaknesses, it doesn't mean that I never feel disappointed when everything does not go according to my expectation. However, I learn to let it go and feel contented with what I have.