Readers of the Bible, students of history, observers of culture you’re not imagining things.

There is a dangerous crossroads rapidly approaching on our horizon. Personal freedom is on the surgical table and its vital signs aren’t promising.

Worse. Some of the team assigned to protect freedom’s life, hovering around the body, well, they are lying—and likely believing lies they’ve sold in bulk at discount rates.

And yet we foolishly believe it’s essential right now to spend hours watching screens waiting for someone to tell us what to think or listening to carefully curated speeches delivered from great stages to adoring crowds hoping someone finally makes sense all the time.

Stop. Just stop. We need to open our eyes and pay close attention.

History is full of great speeches. Freedom isn’t won or lost because one orator moved a crowd.

No. Freedom is sold off in smaller parcels. It’s defended by inches and decisions so small we barely know we’re making them.

Most days we give it away with an extra serving of our souls—usually during private conversations in little rooms.

Back rooms.

Bedrooms.

Conference rooms.

Dining rooms.

Medical exam rooms.

Voting booths.

Church offices.

Interrogation rooms.

Therapy centers with comfy chairs.

Have you been in these rooms lately?

I have.

I have sat with lovely people. People who probably adore their pets, donate to St. Jude’s, play pickleball on weekends, and know all the right things to say in polite company.

We’ve smiled at one another across conference tables or interview desks and without missing a beat they’ve attacked my faith, pressured me to conform, tried to shame me for being me.

“We’d love to have you on board with us. You’re our top candidate. We wonder, though, what is your plan for keeping your faith from interfering with doing your job?”

“The promotion is yours. Your communication skills and experience are exactly what we need to help us tell our story. It would, of course, require you to pull back on your ‘other’ writing. I’m sure that won’t be an issue, will it? The salary here is quite good.”

“We’re heard you’re not yet quite on board with our new terminology. Here is a list of replacement words for problematic language. What exactly is the barrier to using it?”

I’ve heard from others who have sat in little rooms. I have other stories of my own waiting to be told. In some rooms, there are no smiles. Questions aren’t asked. Accusations are calmly presented as facts.

“Your LGBTQ views present a danger to others.” “What does anyone know of my views?” “Oh, we know them, all right.”

“Just knowing you’re an evangelical Christian struck fear in other staff. Doesn’t that concern you?” “Well, sure, but not the way you think it should.”

“It’s a simple enough procedure. No one will even know and won’t it just solve everything?” “I’m not sure. Can I have time to think.” Glances at clock. “Really, why do you need time to think. You’re here now. I’ll send someone in with papers.”

“You really need to get on board with the recommendation of the professionals who have spoken with your child. You certainly don’t want to risk losing your right to be involved in her care, would you?” “I’d like a few moments to speak with my daughter.” “We’re not sure that’s the safest thing for your daughter right now.” “I’m sorry, what?”

“One of your coworkers has complained that you read your Bible at your desk.” “I study it during my lunch hour. One staff member has been reading racy sections of their newest novel aloud to others.” “Do you wish to register a complaint?” “Well, no, I’m just pointing out that I should be free to read what I choose.” “Sadly, that’s not the cooperative attitude I was hoping to find. Your supervisor has mentioned you can be difficult at times.” “Difficult? When have I been difficult.” “Perhaps you need some retraining if you don’t even see the problem.” “This is America.” “Exactly. See. Now you’re showing some awareness. This is America so we don’t force our faith on anyone.” “That’s not what I’m doing.” “Sigh. I see you’re choosing to be a problem.”

“I realize you have other views about this but while you’re working for us, you’ll need to leave those views at home.” “But this would violate my faith.” “Your faith has no place here. This is public space.”

“Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.”
― George Orwell, 1984We make incremental compromises in little rooms with few witnesses. And in this way, freedom is lost, not only for ourselves but for generations to come.

The people in these rooms come armed with new language only they define, with full confidence you are either in the wrong or in need of reeducation, with shame, superiority, and condescending smiles that appear whenever you respond with the wrong answer—which is most of the time.

Initially, I wasn’t equipped for these rooms. I thought the world was a different place. I thought I understood it. I believed the freedom I enjoy was a guarantee for the next generation.

I was mistaken.

My desire to please people and my wrong understanding of how things are now playing out initially sent me into conflict and confusion in these rooms but they were a training ground for me and they are for others who quietly tell their stories.

Are you ready for all the little rooms in your future?

The Bible is where we become equipped.

As long as our minds are steeped in truth, our souls surrendered to Christ, and our spirits in tune with the Holy Spirit, we are free with a freedom no one can violate.

But we must go after this with our hearts, minds, souls, and strength.

In searching the Bible, I began to see that there have always been little rooms where plots were hatched, souls were sold, and people of faith were pressured to conform or compromise. But I also learned the strategies to survive these little rooms.

History, too, tells this story. The history of the church. The history of the world.

And as I’ve listened to the voices of persecuted Christians living under communist or socialist regimes, I’ve learned. They are excellent tutors if we only take the time to hear. They will tell us that God is also in these rooms and we can walk out with our souls (if not always with our jobs or our earthly freedom).

Why did I imagine this would never be our battle here? And yet it is here and it is coming. For we are God’s people and this world is not our home.

We can survive because while there are these little rooms, like the one where Judas sold Jesus to the religious leaders of the day, there are also still rooms that equip our souls.

Private prayer rooms where we read God’s Word, listen, and pray.

Living rooms and church parlors where small groups gather and study the Bible together.

Sanctuaries where God’s Word is preached and God’s people unite in worship.

NOW is the time to increase the hours we spend in THESE rooms.

NOW is the time to consume, not 24-hour news, but sixty-six books of wisdom, power, and light until it seeps from our pores and transforms our minds.

“You are a slow learner, Winston.”
“How can I help it? How can I help but see what is in front of my eyes? Two and two are four.”
“Sometimes, Winston. Sometimes they are five. Sometimes they are three. Sometimes they are all of them at once. You must try harder. It is not easy to become sane.” ― George Orwell, 1984Am I being dramatic?

I am not.

Plans and decisions and agendas are at work in thousands of little rooms even now.

When the Pharisees and rulers determined to put Jesus to death, they feared the people and so, wouldn’t make their moves in public.

Instead, they conspired in little rooms. People compromised in those rooms. Sold out in those rooms. Surrendered in those rooms until the same crowd that cried Hosanna then cried Crucify!

People haven’t changed and those little rooms are still in use.

God has given us everything we need for life and godliness. We are equipped but we must learn to avail ourselves of what God has provided.

Now. Now. Now.

“It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” ― George Orwell, 1984Don’t imagine you won’t be one whose love grows cold in these times. We must tend the fire, make our hearts hospitable to the Holy Spirit and our minds steeped with truth so that love survives those little rooms.

Jesus has gone on ahead to prepare rooms for us so we have a future and a hope. But there are other rooms to face now and He is with us there, too.

Or do you think it was a coincidence He told the first disciples to wait for power and so they gathered in the Upper Room?

The danger lurks in tiny rooms with few witnesses but there are also tiny rooms where we find power to persevere. Abide there.

I welcome your comments! I respond to every comment and reply to every email!

Are you prepared to survive all the little rooms where freedom is sold off in parcels? https://t.co/lVJixd0qHf #freedom #Christianlife

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) August 15, 2024

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