Freedom,...There are times when we have an idea or view of what freedom means to us. More often, what that looks like in other people's lives. But, when it comes to our own lives it seems a little fuzzy, blocked, and illusive. The question is, can you recognize if you have ever truly experienced freedom? It could be a quick an easy response to say, well I live in America and I am free in comparison to other countries in the world. To a certain extent I would agree, but living with the illusion of feeling free and actually being free is very different. Living in a country that is freer than others can seem like freedom in some areas, but in many is not free at all. I guess what I am getting at is knowing what it feels like with all of our your being, mind, body, and soul, to know and be free. Within each one of us there comes a natural instinct to want to be free and experience what true freedom is like, but are to afraid to actually go there and stay.
"Unmeasurable are my limits for I call you Father, unimaginable my potential for you have called me son."
WOW...that sounds amazing!.... Oh, but wait my reality is knocking... Yes,... "that is not possible"... and now that statement seems unattainable. What happen for that brief second? That glimpse of hope, that glimmer of faith, that this statement could be true... What does your reality say to this? What does your life reflect in this? I think so many times our intentions are so grand and or aspirations can give us wings, for a second, and then they are gone... Why is that? Our being, loves to dream and hope of something so much more greater then the way things really are. Our dreams, desires, and hopes are quickly popped and we watch the air in them leak out, feeling paralyzed not being able to keep them flying...
We have been created to Hope, to Dream, to be fully Alive, to Aspire and be Free...
Unfortunately, we live in a reality, a world even in America, that is far far from actually being free. Free emotionally, mentally, physically, socially, financially and even spiritually... We are waiting be to freed...but by whom or what? Living in the fear, doubt, guilt, shame and false identity can and will keep us enslaved. It is our own choice? Nevertheless, we stay comfortably in our slavery... it is familiar, almost safe... because of the unknown freedom that awaits gently. Could it be so, that we are afraid of freedom? Are we afraid of the unknown, it is easy to fear the unknown. Why would freedom be any different, if all you have ever known is how to live enslaved. How many of us know people, friends and or relatives that have spent time in jail or prison? I do. I have uncles, cousins, friends that have been told for so long that they are no good, losers, criminals, less then, and worthless. The environment of those negative words in whatever context can and have paralyzed the people I know to be the very thing they are not. But, have grown into them because it is all they know. The few times that they have gotten chances to get released on parole and get out of that environment, the sooner they find themselves back in it. Freedom is unfamiliar and they do not know how to respond to the unknown and so they go back to the safety in the lies.
We all have bills, debt, and obligations to be responsible financially. We want to live a life with nice things, a car, a home, a good job... but do they also come with a price? A job can be the source to getting nice things and its good to have a nice car and a nice comfortable home, and nice clothes... but at what price are you willing to pay for them? Even if that price is your very own freedom??? What are the things in your reality that have enslaved you from experienced true lasting freedom? What are the routines, patterns of thoughts, actions, and circumstances that you continually find yourself in that do not bring freedom, but reattach the chains of slavery?
Often, we resort back to our past to figure out where we first experienced not being enslaved as subtle as it may be. And more often then not, it begins with a wound. The absents of a parent, rejection from a father, abandonment of a loved one, lack of Love, abusive action mentally, emotionally, physically, and misdirected identity. When not dealt with these wounds become us, they can overpower and become a false identity as a victim without us even realizing it. Automatically giving the wound and the person the power to enslave us by carrying a unforgiven, bitter, hateful, vengeful, hurtful, angry, broken spirit. That power given was never intended to be given away, it was made to overcome and heal the wound, not to be given into slavery by unforgivingness. Forgiveness is never easy, but always necessary for our own freedom.
You see, the freedom that I am referring to is not just from stuff, things, people, or the debt of things that can easily consume us because of the culture we live, but more importantly the freedom that is offered through the Blood of Jesus Christ. The blood that sets the captives free...gives heart to the heartless, brings hope to the hopeless, Joy to the sorrowful, healing to the broken, brings courage to those who are fearful, strength to the weak, and love to the loveless. The Freedom that bring the dead to LIFE!
How can you live in freedom each day? How can you change the perspective and vision that doesn't allow you to become free? How can you forgive those you do not want to? Let go of the anger, bitterness, control, and fear? How can you take back the freedom and power that is yours through Christ?
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1).
YOU WERE MADE TO BE SOLELY FREE BY THE SACRIFICE OF LOVE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. BE FREE...
We have been created to Hope, to Dream, to be fully Alive, to Aspire and be Free...
Unfortunately, we live in a reality, a world even in America, that is far far from actually being free. Free emotionally, mentally, physically, socially, financially and even spiritually... We are waiting be to freed...but by whom or what? Living in the fear, doubt, guilt, shame and false identity can and will keep us enslaved. It is our own choice? Nevertheless, we stay comfortably in our slavery... it is familiar, almost safe... because of the unknown freedom that awaits gently. Could it be so, that we are afraid of freedom? Are we afraid of the unknown, it is easy to fear the unknown. Why would freedom be any different, if all you have ever known is how to live enslaved. How many of us know people, friends and or relatives that have spent time in jail or prison? I do. I have uncles, cousins, friends that have been told for so long that they are no good, losers, criminals, less then, and worthless. The environment of those negative words in whatever context can and have paralyzed the people I know to be the very thing they are not. But, have grown into them because it is all they know. The few times that they have gotten chances to get released on parole and get out of that environment, the sooner they find themselves back in it. Freedom is unfamiliar and they do not know how to respond to the unknown and so they go back to the safety in the lies.
We all have bills, debt, and obligations to be responsible financially. We want to live a life with nice things, a car, a home, a good job... but do they also come with a price? A job can be the source to getting nice things and its good to have a nice car and a nice comfortable home, and nice clothes... but at what price are you willing to pay for them? Even if that price is your very own freedom??? What are the things in your reality that have enslaved you from experienced true lasting freedom? What are the routines, patterns of thoughts, actions, and circumstances that you continually find yourself in that do not bring freedom, but reattach the chains of slavery?
Often, we resort back to our past to figure out where we first experienced not being enslaved as subtle as it may be. And more often then not, it begins with a wound. The absents of a parent, rejection from a father, abandonment of a loved one, lack of Love, abusive action mentally, emotionally, physically, and misdirected identity. When not dealt with these wounds become us, they can overpower and become a false identity as a victim without us even realizing it. Automatically giving the wound and the person the power to enslave us by carrying a unforgiven, bitter, hateful, vengeful, hurtful, angry, broken spirit. That power given was never intended to be given away, it was made to overcome and heal the wound, not to be given into slavery by unforgivingness. Forgiveness is never easy, but always necessary for our own freedom.
You see, the freedom that I am referring to is not just from stuff, things, people, or the debt of things that can easily consume us because of the culture we live, but more importantly the freedom that is offered through the Blood of Jesus Christ. The blood that sets the captives free...gives heart to the heartless, brings hope to the hopeless, Joy to the sorrowful, healing to the broken, brings courage to those who are fearful, strength to the weak, and love to the loveless. The Freedom that bring the dead to LIFE!
How can you live in freedom each day? How can you change the perspective and vision that doesn't allow you to become free? How can you forgive those you do not want to? Let go of the anger, bitterness, control, and fear? How can you take back the freedom and power that is yours through Christ?
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1).
YOU WERE MADE TO BE SOLELY FREE BY THE SACRIFICE OF LOVE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. BE FREE...
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