For centuries, self-determination has been held as a principle of international law stating that a group of people have the right to choose their own sovereignty. Historians cite such examples of Bangladesh achieving independence from India, the creation of Israel, and Czechoslovakia splitting into the independent countries of the Czech Republic and Slovakia as recent examples.
Within the last few years, a new application has emerged for children and adults with special needs. Like nations, it empowers the individual and/or their caregivers to be able to make their own decisions and self-advocate to achieve their life goals. Practically speaking, this means that any funds that have been set aside by the government to care for these individuals do not have to be funneled through a federal or local agency but can be given directly to the individual or caregiver, empowering them to make their own life choices.
The individual has the freedom to choose but with great freedom comes great responsibility. A family must educate themselves on all the options that are available but also gives them the creativity to arrive at unconventional methods to arrive at the same life goals. Our spiritual relationship with God is similar. His love for us is perfect. He does not force us to love Him. He gives us the freedom to choose Him and receive eternal life and salvation or we can choose to reject Him, condemned to spend eternity in hell. It is a tremendous responsibility and the most important decision we can ever make in this life.
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
Galatians 5:13 (NLT)
How will we use the freedom that God gives us? What is our goal? Self determination is a powerful and positive move forward for individuals with special needs empowering them and giving them the freedom to choose and set their own goals. In God’s Kingdom, true freedom allows us to reach our goal by serving others in love to become more like our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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