I Shall Be Released

Bob Dylan once responded when asked about being defined as the “leader of songwriters”:

“No, I don’t know what that is … why do I sing? Just because I feel like singing… truth is I wanted to get out of the rat race.”

He rejected the label and the identity associated with it.

He went on to say: “I don’t believe you”, only to further consolidate his freedom from the oppression of such a label.

The rat race in which he speaks of—from my understanding of history—has been present since the dawn of time. It’s this constant need to be approved, accepted, seen or heard. They are things I deeply long for in my own experience of life.

One of the hardest things for me, personally, is not being heard - or at least a lack of effort of someone making attempts to understand what I am trying to say.

As a writer, creative and deep thinker, this makes it especially challenging.

In a recent conversation with a co-worker we both shared lamentations over the fear involved with sharing our voices.

Vulnerability is one of the scariest things, yet the more I press into it, the more I have found freedom and affirmation of the person God has made me to be. (for further exploration in this, I will include a short-film from my film school days that covers this topic from the perspective of a “much younger Noah”.

But now, I wish to share some of my ongoing reflections on Freedom. Indeed, I aim to continue to explore this topic and would love to hear your perspectives on the subject as well.

I appreciate you taking the time to read these words, but now we must turn our attention to something so deceptively captivating (especially in our current cultural climate): freedom...

Now here’s a word we know: Freedom.

Well at least we think we know this word.

What is freedom?

How do we define it?

Can that definition change over time?

is there evidence, perhaps, that it has?

Ditching labels can be a real challenge.

Often times the strongest ones are the ones we put on ourselves.

They burden us, weight us down.

They rupture our soul.

They distract us from who we are really made to be.

What if freedom—and I mean true freedom—could be found?

What if it came with the label: free

A light and burden-less identity.

An easy yoke.

With no other obligation than this: LIVE.

Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. [1 John 2:6]

Dylan sings: “any day … any day now … I shall be released.”

Why not make it today?

Do you seek soul restoration?

Why not accept the invitation to come; enter rest.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. [Psalm 23:1-3a]

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” [Matthew 11:28-30]

I personally deeply believe in the soul rest that Jesus has to offer. I believe it, because I have experienced it personally. In contrast with the yoke of the world—the yoke of slavery to the flesh, it is indeed light and burden-less.

Allowing God to define who I am, and ditching any and all attempts to define my identity on my own terms has been the most liberating thing I have ever experienced. This is what I mean by true freedom. By definition, then, all other freedom is a false or “off-brand” version of freedom. A lesser version, which might offer some temporary hope or solace from the pains and struggles of this life, but it cannot last.

It will not last.

God, being eternal, then offers Freedom that is likewise, eternal.

That means that we can experience it, not only in the current passing of days, but forever, as we long for eternity in his wonderful presence. Where we will forever and always be able to lie down in green pastures, walk with him by the still waters and experience a permanent refreshing of our souls.

This is one of my favorite Dylan songs, which I was first exposed to by Jack Johnson. I would encourage you to listen to it and experience the power behind the voices as they sing of being released from bondage and chains.

Dylan writes about the man next to him “in the lonely crowd”.

side note: I dig this idea of a lonely crowd, and think it’s a great way to describe our *american culture. Alone Together anyone?

Dylan recounts how the man next to him is adamant that “he is not to blame” and how he “cries out” all day long “that he’s been framed”.

So often it is easy to play the victim.

So often it is easy to cry out about our own shame, pain and harmful experiences, but in my life I have never found any freedom in such complaining and crying. In fact, it tends to keep me in the prison of the labels I have created: “victim” being a primary one.

When Jesus went on the cross, the Bible tells of two men who were also being crucified.

One to the left, one to the right.

One of the men resembled the cries of the man in Dylan’s song. He was not to blame. He had no need for forgiveness or salvation. He had nothing to be released from. I am convinced that this is a much more common song that we sing over the course of our lives, than we’d like to admit.

The other man, recognized his need. Understood the condition he found himself in and his desire for freedom from it. Jesus’ response?

“Today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).

Why do we choose to remain in our labels, under the weight of our chains, in the cell of our own attempts to free ourselves by our works, appearances, deeds or intentions?

Would it not be much better to know that we are bound for such a Paradise?

I have such a hope.

I aim to share this hope.

I do hope, that in doing so, I would encourage you to go and do likewise.

Being released is what we long for most in this life, and in a world—and culture—of such false freedom, is there anything else you have found thus far that has released you from it?

It is certainly true, that “Who the Son sets free, is Free indeed.”

For, after all, what else is there to boast in?

Pretty Cringe...

But looking back on my growth as a creator, I am proud of my younger self—and certainly how God was challenging me in this season—to share my story.