**********
"We often think of freedom as the ability to do whatever we want to do, but that is not the case. True freedom is the ability to do what we were created to do, which is fully expressed in a relationship with Jesus Christ."
It is when we think of things like freedom from the wrong perspective that victim thinking becomes so easy to introduce in our lives. Thinking that freedom is simply being able to do anything we want when we want to to that thing is such a failed strategy for trying to live out this life as a victor.
Freedom is one of those words that can seem so contradictory at times. You have heard the saying that "Freedom isn't free." haven't you? It is statements like that that make the fact that freedom is filled with oxymorons that sometimes confuse and frustrate us to no end. It is when we surrender to the power of a freedom that lasts that we begin to be able to weed victim thinking out of our life.
Freedom that we look to as a result of getting what we want when we want it isn't a freedom that lasts. Think about that last vacation you had that was so amazing. Wasn't that time a freeing experience for you? But, guess what? It came to an end. Remember how it felt walking away from that time? Transitioning back to "real life" after a time like that can be a challenge for sure.
That's the problem with trusting freedom we can control for what we need to feel free. It just doesn't last! God is permanent. Living in that place of being what He made us to be is the only kind of freedom I have found that seems to last in my life. Problem is that, that freedom is so hard to trust at times.
The quote I started today's presentation with came from an email devotion Dr. Whitehead sends out every day. He started today's devotion with this verse. I think this verse has the reason why it is so hard to trust God's freedom at times. Check it out with me now.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV)
God is spirit. It's hard to see a spirit at times. You can't nail a spirit down like you can the more tangible things we have grown accustom to in our lives. Spirits can be nebulous, mysterious and unpredictable. They can do things that just don't make since in our physical world. Their movements and even their words can confound and confuse us. It's no wonder freedom that comes from the spirit of God can be so hard for us to accept in our lives.
As challenging as it can be to trust God's idea of freedom at times, it is truly the only freedom that makes victor living possible on a consistent basis. Freedom from God is directly connected to who we are. Pastor Whitehead said that true freedom comes as we live out the creation God has made us to be. It is when we stop looking to our actions to provide freedom and let who God says we are be what drives our actions that a renewed sense of freedom comes into our lives. That kind of freedom is something that this world just can't match. That kind of freedom is something that is promised to last.
Staying in that place of freedom isn't easy. This world will do all it can to try and get us trapped in things that we think look like the kind of freedom God really wants us to have. Where the Spirit of the Lord is is freedom. The Spirit of the Lord is with you. It always is and always will be with you. That means His freedom is for us always. Isn't it time to begin trusting that freedom in your life more than things you can make happen that might bring you another kind of freedom?
What were you created to do in this world? Pastor Whitehead says that true freedom comes as we live out the purpose God created for us to be a part of. Problem is that it is rare for any one of us to completely know our God given purpose. I still struggle with that question. It is when I take things into my own hands and try to make a purpose happen in my life that victim thinking makes freedom less and less attainable.
How do we live in peace if we don't know our purpose in life? Simple, live life the way God does. Make relationship your purpose. Grow in your relationship with God. Then, spend the rest of your time growing relationships with others. I guarantee that as you make relationship a cornerstone of purpose, specific, God-directed and heaven backed purpose will be seen in all you do.
Freedom is something we all seek to have more of in our lives. I believe that the freedom we want is there for the taking as we live out who God says we are. Let the power of freedom be what makes yout life different from all the other people you will interact with. Victor living is filled with freedom. Live in that place of knowing your identity and purpose. Let freedom rein in your life today.
No comments:
Post a Comment