True Freedom. Letting Go or Letting God?
Our culture constantly tells us that freedom comes from throwing off every restraint and becoming whoever we want to be. The message is everywhere. Follow your heart. Live your truth. Don’t let anyone hold you back.
At first glance, those ideas sound inspiring. But do they lead us toward the life God created us to live?
One of the clearest examples of this message came through Disney’s Frozen. Like many families with young children, ours watched it countless times. I enjoyed the movie, especially the story of two sisters whose love ultimately overcomes fear and misunderstanding. Yet the movie’s signature song, Let It Go, presents a view of freedom that doesn’t seem what God has in mind.
Two Different Definitions of Freedom
For years Elsa hid who she really was because she feared hurting those around her. Eventually she reached a breaking point. In Let It Go, she decides to stop living by the expectations of others and embrace whatever feels true to her. The song celebrates leaving behind rules, fear, and outside opinions in pursuit of personal freedom.
Many people resonate with that message because they’ve experienced rejection, shame, or unrealistic expectations. Wanting freedom from those things is understandable. But Scripture points us toward a different kind of freedom.
Freedom is not found by removing every boundary. It is found by surrendering ourselves to the One who loves us completely.
A Beautiful Response
One song that beautifully captures this biblical picture is Bethel Music’s In Over My Head, written by Jenn Johnson.
Rather than declaring independence, the song begins with a confession that many believers can relate to. Even after experiencing God, there is still a longing for more of Him. Instead of saying, “I’m done with the rules,” the heart cries out, “Come and do whatever You want to.”
That is so different from the Disney view. This song describes standing where the water is already deep, sensing God calling her farther than she has ever gone before. Instead of demanding control, she asks God to tear down the boxes she has placed Him in and teach her who He is all over again.
This is what following Christ often feels like. God rarely asks us to stay where life is comfortable. He invites us deeper.
Freedom Through Surrender
Perhaps the most powerful picture in the song comes near the end. It gives the picture of moving farther from the shore until we have completely lost control. Whether we sink or swim no longer matters because we belong to God. The chorus declares we are “beautifully in over my head.”
That is the opposite of the message in Let It Go. One song says freedom comes from taking control of your own life. The other says freedom comes from giving control to God. Which picture sounds more like Jesus?
When Peter stepped out of the boat, he had no guarantee of what would happen next. His security wasn’t found in his ability to walk on water. It was found in the One who called him there. God still calls us to live that way today.
He invites us to trust Him even when we cannot predict the outcome. He asks us to surrender our plans, our fears, and even our desire to remain in control. Ironically, it is only when we surrender control that we discover the freedom we have been searching for all along.
Which Freedom Will You Choose?
Are you tired of carrying the weight of trying to control everything yourself? Are you longing for something deeper than simply doing whatever feels right?
Jesus offers a freedom that goes far beyond self-expression. It is the freedom of knowing you are fully loved, fully accepted, and completely secure in Him.
The world says, “Let it go.” Jesus says, “Follow Me.” One path leads to independence; the other leads to abundant life.
I know which freedom I want.