Freedom is Not Free - A Lenten Reflection from DSF Student Gloria Carr

This Disciples Seminary Foundation 2026 Lenten reflection theme is “for such a time as this.” This theme is pertinent for me because of those in God’s world around me – both near and far. As I considered this season in my life, for such a time as this, the phrase “freedom is not free” rings deep within my spirit, even to the marrow in my bones. While I am on the ordination track studying ministerial leadership and spiritual renewal, God saw fit for me to experience and to engage in and with Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). For this experience and engagement, I have been blessed to partake in the lives of some of the most important people I have come to know – veterans. For such a time as this, I am grateful for God’s perfect timing. I have gained tremendous wisdom, strength, and yes, even faith, just by being in their presence. The one thing that I have taken for granted are the sacrifices that military men and women make every day throughout the time they serve our country for me and for you – selflessly giving themselves away to serve, living with and bearing their crosses, becoming ransoms while risking their lives to serve the country they declared to protect by raising their right hand as they took “the oath.” The experiences of trauma along with mental and physical anguish are only a few lifelong consequences they suffer as a result of their sacrifice. I didn’t realize all of the tears shed as they left their families to be trained, to become experts, and to fight our wars – wars to keep us free.

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!

The Bible says, “You have taken account of my miseries; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book? Then my enemies will turn back on the day when I call; This I know, that God is for me.” (Psalm 56:8-9 NASB2020) God sees all of our tears – He is right there with us; He is for us.

This year, the Lenten season has taken on a whole new meaning for me while being with veterans! I see veterans following Jesus’ example as he stayed on the cross selflessly GIVING himself away, MAKING himself a ransom for our sin, BECOMING the Sacrificial Lamb of God, DYING on a cross, RISING from the dead, WALKING on earth for a period, and ASCENDING to his rightful place with God – Jesus IS the Savior once and for all to EVERYONE who believes. Jesus paid it all…Jesus endured the pain and suffering on the cross. Hebrews 12:2 states, “Looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Isaiah 53 records, “But He was pierced for our offenses, He was crushed for our wrongdoings; The punishment for our well-being was laid upon Him…He was oppressed and afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth” – What a SACRIFICE.

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!

We have the freedom to decide to choose God – to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and by loving our neighbor as we love ourselves (Luke 10:27). This freedom of choice comes with individual and personal crosses we must carry on our own crosses, selflessly giving ourselves away to make our own sacrifices as we seek to fulfill God’s purpose in our lives for such a time is this. Of course, seeking to fulfill God’s purpose in life encompasses many sacrifices – Sacrifices such as casting aside family, friends, and others who may not align with God’s purpose and call.

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!

This Lenten season has been enriched as my encounters with veterans brought to life a different perspective about the impact of SACRIFICE. I am forever indebted to Jesus a price I could NEVER pay. Thank you, military veterans, for enlightening my awareness.

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!

Prayer: Loving Father, Sovereign God, thank you so much for your unwavering love. I am so grateful for your Omniscient Grace and Mercy. Thank you for the military veterans who chose sacrificial careers to protect me and our country. And God, I am so grateful for you sending the precious Gift of your obedient Son, to offer us the Gift of eternal Salvation by reconciling those who believe back to you. Thank you, Jesus for your tremendous sacrifice, for the strength displayed on the cross. And God place deeply within our spirits the realization that FREEDOM IS NOT FREE. Help us O God to live out what it means to press toward fulfilling your purpose in our lives through our own sacrifices, our own crosses we must bear for such a time as this because FREEDOM IS NOT FREE. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Gloria Carr is a third-year DSF/CST student, studying Ministerial Leadership and Spiritual Renewal. She is an Elder who serves at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church and is on the ordination track under care with the Commission on Ministry in Tennessee.