Unbound by Violence: Stories of Liberation and Letting Go

It’s easy to feel the world pressing in. Headlines speak of rising violence and the ways fear and power are used to control. In the midst of this, Lent invites us to pause, to enter the wilderness of our hearts, and to ask: What keeps us from freedom?

This week, we’ll read the story of Jesus condemned. In this passage, the mechanisms of power and oppression are on full display: intimidation, fear, and the desire to maintain control at any cost. And yet, in Jesus, we encounter a different kind of power.

This week’s Lenten focus, Unbound by Violence, calls us to look at the violences that shape our lives and communities. It asks us to notice where we have been complicit. But it also whispers a promise: freedom is possible.

When I was growing up, I studied Taekwondo. Martial arts gave me a space to grow, teaching discipline, focus, and confidence. Many people were drawn to the flashier parts of it: the sparring, the possibility of learning self-defense, the sense of power that came with mastering techniques. And there is truth in all of that.

What I noticed over time was that the people who stayed with the practice the longest didn’t see martial arts as a form of violence. They saw it as a way to channel energy and balance. Strength wasn’t about dominating. It was about patience, self-control, and humility. Taekwondo taught me early on that real strength often means letting go of pride, the need to control, or the impulse to “win.”

These thoughts come back to me now as we walk through Lent and reflect on Jesus’ path. The story of his condemnation reminds us that violence is often used to dominate, and it takes courage to respond differently. We are called to name violence clearly and trust that we can embody another way. Jesus’ path shows us that courageous love and truth-telling are forms of freedom.

This Sunday, we will see the cost of violence, witness the power of faithful witness, and hear the call to live unbound. May we learn to lay down our fears, let go of the violence we carry, and step into the freedom God offers.

Because even in a time such as this, new life is pushing through. And so are we.

Check out my song of the week to go along with the text! Christ is Lower Still by Matt Maher and DOE

Peace,

Pastor Katie