In Ireland, in the city where U2 live, there is an area where there is distinct segregation between the rich, middle and upper class people and the lower, working class; this distinction is made just by the street name. If you lived on a certain street in this area, people will know exactly what your occupancy is and judgement will rain down on you, such as "ew, he can't even afford these simple luxeries for his family. How pitiful."

The song was composed because Bono and the lot were jamming, but as this train of thought took Bono deeper, he wanted to express how there's a place where no one will be judged, a place where there is no such thing as seperation and, in fact, there is unity between the people. A place where street names will not matter, where social status, income, car model or clothing brands mean nothing.

If you ask ME...that place exists in your heart. In your own world, where everyone can get along with you. Yet, for ME, NOW, that runs even deeper. Because I'm found by Jesus, this world can start becoming a reality; I see it bleeding into the places I visit regularly.

On Sunday, Vinny K gave a talk on Freedom From Fear. Given enough time to think about it, you could probably have a good stab at the contents and the layout of how it would go. There was a bit of worship at the start, in which I had a few ideas and definitions of Fear, Freedom and Hope written down. There were also a few bible verses written; they would be proverbs 9:10 and 1 John 4:4. After giving them give about 5 minutes to have a look at these ideas, they were encouraged to write down their own thoughts or what struck them from these ideas. Most people seemed to be encouraged by the www.thefreedictionary.com's definitions of freedom and hope. Freedom was defined as follows:

free·dom (frdm)n.

(hp)

The responses were interesting and definitely insightful...particularly in how they responded to the thoughts about being "free" from fear.

But what Vinny K spoke about wasn't about Jesus being free to set us free from all of that. Rather...he quoted a famous Christian's train of thought. That we are scared of OURSELVES and what we could actually achieve; that our maximum potential would be realized. We are actually able to do what we want to do to the best of our abilities and beyond our imagination. That is what being a Christian is about, he said. Not just "oh, I attend church...and go to youth group...sometimes a Tuesday bible study..." It's being the best you can. I felt God really move in that room, like a breeze drifting and weaving around my legs. Vinny K continued "we don't have time to sing In Your Freedom again...but if you want to respond, then raise your hand. If you want to know what it means to be a Christian, to know the inheritance we have, then stick your hand up." Silence fell on the room like a blanket, knitted with tension and anticipation. But, hands shot up immediately as we bowed to pray. "There's one...another one...ok, that makes five in total!" And three people became Christians as of that Sunday.

God, I know I'm unworthy. I know I stray and I struggle against you and aggravate my situations. I know my emotions will sometimes quash your convictions. But I see what you're doing. And I am excited. Please, don't let me stop now...