Freedom

Sometimes I find it hard to discern what God is telling me.  I can get so wound up in my own issues that I forget to lift up my worries and burdens to the Lord and wait for His guidance (which always comes in the most perfect way). Other times, God practically flashes His message to me like a bright neon sign. 

Recently, I've been spending more glorious time reading and meditating on God's word (it's become one of my favorite activities). In doing so, I noticed a common theme that I kept coming across whether it was through scripture or a Bible study.  

FREEDOM

A few weeks ago, I was participating in an online Bible study through She Reads Truth-an amazing online resource for women that I highly recommend. One of the texts that was included in the study was from 1 Peter 2:16.  The verse reads:

"Live as people who are FREE, not using your FREEDOM as a cover up for evil, but living as servants of God."

I wrote down this verse in my journal and then honestly forgot about it. However, God was not done teaching me about this idea of freedom.  Yesterday at church, one of the verses we discussed was from John 8: 31-36.  A portion of this text reads:

"…the truth will make you FREE."

As I opened my journal to prepare to take notes from the sermon, my eyes immediately landed on that first verse from 1 Peter. The word FREE practically jumped off the page. It was one of those God moments where, with His help, I finally recognized the importance of this idea of freedom through Jesus Christ.

For me, freedom through God is one of the most liberating, awe-inspiring, hopeful messages! I'm free from the burdens of this world:  the trap of perfectionism, the pressure to get the best grades, this world's idea of the ideal body, etc. I am enough. You are enough.  Just the way we are. Jesus' suffering and ultimate death on the cross frees us from the concerns of this world so that we can instead channel our focus on the most important thing-living our lives according to His will. He chose me and He chose you. He loves me and He loves you.  We are free through God.  Amen.