Greenland Election

Greenlanders made their way to the polls on Tuesday in a national election that would have typically involved little fanfare outside the borders of the giant and frigid island nation. This week’s elections, however, drew a great deal more attention in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s sustained interest in Greenland joining the U.S. While neither the issue of annexation nor independence was on the ballot, the increased worldwide attention has added momentum to the local drive for independence (Greenland is currently a territory of Denmark). Despite its massive landmass, there are only approximately 57,000 residents of Greenland, a significant majority of which are indigenous and belong to the Inuit ethnic group. Both annexation and independence would require a referendum vote.

Analysis and eternal perspective: God created humans in His image (Gen. 1:26-27) and purposed that we should be free (Gal. 5:1-26, 2 Cor. 3:17, Jn. 8:32,36). It can be very easy, however, to conflate the freedom scripture repeatedly calls us to with the temporal earthly freedom with which we have become most familiar.

You likely associate freedom with individual autonomy and liberation from authoritarian government control. This type of freedom has been yearned for across the wide span of human civilization and affords those living within it a prime opportunity to choose the free gift of salvation offered to each of us (Rev. 3:20). It is a governing structure this writer views exceedingly favorably, in large part because of the many ways in which it reflects the Creator’s character. There is a very strong case to be made that both scripture and world history point to this type of freedom as something worthy of pursuing and defending.

But the freedom to which you—and every person, including Greenlanders—are called is infinitely higher than one defined by the earthly governing structure under which you live. You are called to a freedom secured by Truth (Jn. 8:32)—one that liberates you from the curse of sin and death (Rom. 8:1-4). This is a freedom that is yours for the possessing no matter whether you live with robust earthly freedom or under the thumb of an oppressive authoritarian regime. It is one offered by your Creator and Savior, and one no man can either offer or take away.

So while the days ahead are important ones for the people of Greenland, every day is one in which they—and you—can choose not just independence, but true freedom!

The following article originally appeared in Thann’s “The Equipped” Weekly Newsletter. For more information on Thann’s weekly email, click here.