Why “You Do You” Might Be Letting You Down

We live in a culture that praises independence. Be your own boss. Set your own pace. Do your own thing. You do you. But what if “you do you” isn’t actually freedom? Psalm 2 tells the story of nations rising up and saying, “Let us break their chains and free ourselves from slavery to God.” In other words: We want to live without limits, do whatever we want, and answer to no one. Sound familiar?

If we’re honest, many of us are exhausted chasing the version of freedom the world sells. We work harder, scroll longer, strive for more... and still come up short. The lie of self-made freedom. Here’s the truth: Freedom isn’t about independence. Freedom is about submitting to the right authority. And that might feel countercultural—because it is.

Real freedom isn’t found in autonomy. It’s found in interconnectedness—in knowing we belong to something bigger than ourselves. We weren’t created to exist apart from God… we were made to thrive with Him at the center. Like a fish out of water. C.S. Lewis once described a fish flopping on the shore as a picture of false freedom. Sure, the fish is technically “free” from the water—but that kind of freedom is fatal. The fish was made for water. That’s where it breathes, moves, and lives.

You and I? We were made for relationship with God. That’s our water. When we try to live outside of it, we’re not free—we’re just gasping.
The real power of living differently. Jesus once said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” But right before that, He added, “If you remain faithful to my teachings, then you are truly my disciples.” So freedom isn’t just about knowing the truth. It’s about living it. That’s where the power comes in. Jesus calls us to live differently. In a world where everyone’s chasing platform, power, and influence, He invites us to pursue humility. In a culture that tells us to chase comfort, He points us toward purpose.

“But among you, it will be different.” — Luke 22:26

And I believe it can be different. If you’ve been feeling that pull—that quiet sense that there must be more than just doing your own thing and keeping up appearances—then maybe Jesus is inviting you to live differently too. You already belong. One of the most powerful truths in Scripture is that God calls us His sons and daughters. Not because we’ve earned it. Not because we finally got it together. But because of His grace. That’s divine sonship. And it’s already yours in Jesus.

The question is: 
Are we living like we belong to Him?
Are we living in a way that points back to the Father?

If not—you’re not alone. I’ve been there too. And the good news is that Jesus doesn’t just call us to be different—He gives us the Spirit to make us different. So if today’s the day you realize you’ve been chasing a version of freedom that isn’t really freedom, I want to invite you to pray a simple prayer: "Jesus, make me different. Help me live like I belong to you."

A Few Questions to Reflect On:

• What kind of “freedom” have I been chasing?
• Where in my life have I bought into self-deception?
• How might God be inviting me to live differently today?

True freedom isn’t about doing whatever I want.
It’s about becoming who I was made to be.
And that’s not just a Sunday thing.
That’s an everyday thing.

~Pastor Mitchell Shiver

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