Dear Inspiration Seekers,
I have been reading the December issue of BBC Music Magazine (http://www.classical-music.com/), which has an review of Michael Colina’s (http://www.michaelcolina.com/) upcoming concert and recording release of his first classical composition performed with the London Symphony Orchestra. The bio-interview follows his progression from youth and classical training in North Carolina, to his career writing jazz and pop tunes in NYC for musicians such as Bob James, Bill Evans, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt and Bonnie Raitt. After 25 years as a tune-smith and music producer, he has returned to his youthful passion for classical music. So, what does this have to do with Galatians?
I will admit that my line of thought is tangential on this one. Paul concludes Galatians chapter 3 and 4 with an outline of the promise of God’s covenant with Abraham, the bondage of the law, and the freedom of the gospel. As I read this article about Mr. Colina, I thought about how we replicate this progression often, in a personal way, through our lives.
We start with the freedom and innocence of children, but this is quickly limited by the rules of home. The purpose of these rules is not just to restrict our freedom, but to provide guidance and safety. Freedom ends pretty quickly when your bicycle darts into a busy street. As we move into adulthood, holding many of our youthful dreams and ambitions, we realize the practicality of earning a living, paying the bills, dating and marriage, homeownership, rearing children, etc. Certainly, one can pursue freedom by forfeiting some or all of these, thereby evading the social rules of the time clock and tax forms, but to do so is to also forfeit many life experiences. Often, whether during one’s career or upon retirement, we have the chance to pursue a different type of freedom. This might be volunteering for some cause, selling the possessions and traveling, or moving to the mountains and growing vegetables, etc. So, what does this have to do with Michael Colina?
In the interview, Mr. Colina talks about his youthful enthusiams to compose and perform classical music. When he graduated from the North Carolina School of the Arts in the late 1960’s, he moved to NYC, ready to break into the classical music culture of Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Where he found employment for his talents was writing songs for up-coming jazz and pop performers. He set aside his dreams to compose classical music, for the rules of the music world. Practicality of the law put freedom into bondage. However, with his career established and the music industry rapidly changing with the whims of internet downloads, he decided to return to his dream of composing classical compositions, and sought his freedom from the law of the music industry. Taking his freedom, he began to compose and negotiate with orchestras for performance and recording options.
Paul writes about the freedom of children being constricted by the bondage of the law. But, he also writes about the bondage of the law being ended by the freedom of belief. The law can be safe and productive. But, shall we find more beauty when free?
Until next time, Inspiration Seekers.
hermitsdoor 
Living in freedom over the law seems to be an obvious choice. Who given the option of living in freedom or bondage would choose the latter? Yet live in bondage we do.
I visit inmates in the local jail on a regular basis. Usually when we first meet shortly after they are incarcerated, they are disheveled and despondent. Sometimes through the realization that their actions have brought them to this place, but often because they are detoxing from the steady consumption of drugs over a long period of time. Jail is a though place to go “cold turkey” from the addictions of the past. As the months go by, there is often an improvement in physical appearance and clarity of mind, which is accompanied by a strong desire to move in a new direction once the time has been served. Unfortunately the struggle for sobriety begins in earnest once freedom is achieved. Without the mandatory compliance of the law (bars and guards), old temptations return in force. 70% of inmates that are paroled return to jail for another offense.
Living in freedom is difficult because we crave the old ways and lack the resolve to live in freedom. As the war of independence loomed before the colonies, Patrick Henry wrote, “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” Whether it a revolutionary war, or a battle against corporate institutions, it’s easy to say, tough to do.
While I do not know the degree of Patrick Henry’s religious affiliation, most of the leaders in the colonies were better versed in scriptures than we, and possibly influenced by this knowledge. In reading his words that you quote in the context of Paul’s writing, I see an interesting parallel.
LIberty or Death
Faith leads to Freedom or Law leads to Death.