Close

How to Know God

Do you ever wonder what Christians believe? Who Jesus is, what he did and why it matters? Get answers to these questions and more.

Spiritual Growth

Take the next step in your faith journey with resources on prayer, devotionals and other tools for personal and spiritual growth.

Life & Relationships

Explore resources to help you live out your life and relationships in a way that honors God.

Bible Studies

Find resources for personal or group Bible study.

Share the Gospel

Learn to develop your skills, desire and ability to join others on their spiritual journeys and take them closer to Jesus.

Help Others Grow

Help others in their faith journey through discipleship and mentoring.

Leadership Training

Develop your leadership skills and learn how to launch a ministry wherever you are.

Video

Browse videos designed to help you grow spiritually, share your faith, and lead others well.

Language Resources

View our top Cru resources in more than 20 languages.

Quizzes & Assessments

Have some fun taking various quizzes and assessments to learn about yourself and others.

Campus

Helping students know Jesus, grow in their faith and go to the world to tell others.

City

Reflecting Jesus together for the good of the city.

Inner City

Partnering with urban churches to meet physical and spiritual needs.

Athletes

Striving to see Christ-followers on every team, in every sport and in every nation.

Families

Equipping families with practical approaches to parenting and marriage.

High School

Reaching students and faculty in middle and high school.

Military

Bringing hope and resources to military families worldwide.

Locate Cru Near You

Explore Cru's global presence and discover how you can get involved in communities worldwide.

Events

Whether you're interested in conferences or local gatherings, there's an opportunity for you. Explore upcoming events and find your place to serve and grow.

Mission Trips

Explore domestic and global mission trips with Cru—serve, grow, and make an eternal impact. Opportunities for students, families, and professionals.

Internships

Explore Cru's internship opportunities—serve globally or locally, develop your skills, and make an eternal impact. Apply today!

Careers

Explore full- and part-time ministry careers with Cru—use your skills to impact eternity. Apply today!

Volunteer

Explore volunteer opportunities with Cru and use your skills to impact lives for eternity.

International

Explore global mission opportunities with Cru—serve, grow, and make an eternal impact.

What We Do

How we seek to journey together with everyone towards a relationship with Jesus.

Donor Relations

Answers to questions on donations, financial policies, Cru’s annual report and more.

Our Leadership

Learn about Cru's global leadership team.

Cru Partnerships

When the global church comes together then powerful things can happen.

Storylines

Showing God in action in and through His people.

Press

Access Cru's latest news releases, media contacts, and background information on our global ministries and leadership.

0

Day 16: “Freedom Is a Terrible Thing”

Each day of this devotional series, we will consider key moments in God’s glorious plan to redeem us. We will understand both the overarching story of God and the highlights of all He’s done for us in Christ.

My dad liked to provoke people by saying things like this. Isn’t freedom good and what everyone wants? Not necessarily. God’s people found out that freedom, divorced from morality, ushers in a world of hurt.

After Josh

Abraham’s descendants occupied the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua. For a while, they enjoyed this land of milk and honey. But after the death of Joshua, a difficult period followed, described in the book of Judges. Here’s the refrain:

“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” – Judges 21:25, English Standard Version

Recycling

This “freedom” launched a destructive cycle. The people forgot about God, did whatever they felt like and caused harm to themselves and others. In this weakened state, their surrounding enemies took advantage of their vulnerability and conquered them. In their distress, Israel cried out to God, and He sent “judges” — military leaders who would free God’s people again. The cycle repeated itself over and over. Seven times.

Revolution?

autonomy: independence or freedom, as of the will or one’s action (Random House Unabridged Dictionary)

Today, we are in a revolution of autonomy. People are defending their right to define who or what they are apart from any outside authority. It promises so much freedom, but like in the days of the Judges, it brings a destructive cycle.

My Destructive Pattern

I am not immune to this destructive pattern. I struggle with God’s rules. I wonder whether He has my best interests at heart or if He’s aware of my challenges. Typically, I take matters into my own hands — doing what is right in my own eyes — and the results are painful.

In my distress, I cry out to the Lord. Cursing the autonomy that got me into this mess, I return to Him, humble, sorrowful and hopeful for a fresh experience of His love.

My dad got it right. Unless I use it to do the right thing, freedom is a terrible thing.

Next: During the time of the Judges, the people should have followed God as their King. Instead, the people ignored Him and demanded a human king. God reluctantly gave them their wish. In the next devotional, we’ll see how God chose that person who would rule and guide His people.

Questions:

  • Do you think “freedom is a terrible thing”? Why or why not?
  • Some have said, “Freedom is not doing what you want but what you were meant to do.” Do you agree? Why or why not?
  • Was there a time when you found yourself in the destructive cycle of forgetting God and doing what looks right in your own eyes? How do you view that time now?

Going Deeper:

  • Read the Book of Judges, but take a happy pill first. This book depresses me.
  • Read What It Means to Live Free (This is a fun article on our freedom in Christ).

Since 1951, Cru has helped individuals who grapple with integrating faith into daily life by offering practical steps and community support. As a result, countless people in over 190 countries have been empowered to move from passive belief to active faith.