How to Really be Free

Are you really free?

Can you throw your hands up in the air and dance like you just don't care? :-)

That might seem like a funny saying but the fact remains that if you're really free....

then you just don't care what people think.

I'm not talking about putting on the facade of freedom.

You know, like going to a concert and crazily screaming over the band along with thousands of other fans.

Or, like yelling for your favorite team during the playoffs along with the rest of the football lovers in the stands.

It looks like freedom...but, it isn't.

Freedom doesn't necessarily mean reckless or loud.

Just ask yourself this question-

"Would I scream over the band and yell at the game if no one else was doing it with me?

Am I willing to be the only one making a fool of myself?"

Free people stand out from the rest.

They don't fit into the modern day mold.

Freedom is messy and uneven and imperfect and, at times, lonely.

Freedom gets misunderstood and misinterpreted and mistaken.

True freedom ticks people off and ruffles feathers.

Free people passionately pursue their God-given purpose without bowing to their critics.

But, I'm not gonna let what other people think hold me back.

Are you?

Galatians 5:1-

"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."

To not be free means that I'm a slave to something.

Here are some types of slavery that many women struggle with:

Perfectionism

Vanity

Comparison

Insecurity

These struggles are really chains that entangle us and keep us bound.

They hold us down and keep us stuck in a cold, dark cell of self pity.

Ladies, that is not God's best for you.

Freedom is always God's best.

Wanna know how to really be free?

Simple.

Be who God has called YOU to be.

Freedom looks different to everyone.

It comes in all shapes and sizes.

And it's available to all.

But one thing remains the same.

True freedom is not the same as self expression.

It may look unusual or different.

That's ok.

But let's be clear:

Real freedom is an inner work that results in an outward change.

It is not self-earned or self-made.

Free people know that only Jesus can set them free.

John 8:36

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

In the words of one of my fave singers, Bruno Mars,

"Girl, you're amazing just the way you are."

Embrace the masterpiece of you.

And then stand firm in your new-found freedom.

Trust me, it's a gift to truly be free!

Magnetic Beauty

As we get older, we should be maturing a little bit more every year.

We should be able to look back at this time last year and say,
"I have learned so much since then."
And, we should be able to look ahead to this time next year and say,
"I will not be struggling with that anymore by then."

You can call it what you want:
GOALS
PRIORITIES
STEPS

All those things are correct.
But, I personally like to call it GROWTH.

Because staying the same is just not God's best for me....or you.
Staying the same means comfort and predictability and stagnant living.
Not growing means limiting ourselves to what we 've always done.
Like, staying a sprout when God calls us to shoot up towards the sky and bloom.

I want to bloom!
I want to flourish!
Don't you?

GROWTH is a sign of health and life.
It means we are letting God direct our steps.
Because HE wants us to GROW and CHANGE.

HE wants us to be so beautiful with our colorful petals that other sprouts and seedlings will look at us and want to GROW too.
Cause when we let God lead us in our GROWTH, we are magnetic in our beauty.

It's not a "look at me and how far I've come" kind of beauty.
It's not even an "I've worked so hard to get here" kind of beauty.

It's a "by His grace, for His glory" kind of beauty.

GOD breathed His life into me, watered me with His love, and warmed me with His touch.
I can't take any credit for where I am or who I have become.
It's all because of Jesus.

So this year, 2015, be intentional in your goals, priorities, and steps.
But don't forget the only ONE who can get you to your intended destination.

Ask Him to lead you in your GROWTH this year.
Surrender your plans to the ultimate Plan-maker and watch as God blooms in you.

It's not just about what we are becoming...it's also about what those around us are becoming.
When you bloom, they will too.

Let's be magnetic in our beauty this year....
And GROW in the grace and glory of our loving Saviour, Jesus.

"We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand - out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory,

standing tall and shouting our praise."

Romans 5:2 (msg)