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!

Brave the Deep

A part of me has always wanted to go scuba diving in the ocean.

To see the beautiful array of coral and fish

To play with the friendly dolphins

To experience the underwater world

But my desire to venture into the depths has been largely overshadowed by my fear of what lies beneath.

I could run out of air and drown.

SHARKS!!!  (Isn’t that reason enough?)

The water pressure could crush me.

Yeah, yeah, I know. Those excuses have about a 3% chance of happening. 

But, c’mon, that’s still a very real possibility.

And I don’t typically do things that I’m not sure 100% sure are going to work out.

Do you?

Personally, I like to play it safe.

But, I have been feeling a slight nudge in my Spirit lately to go deeper.

You know what I mean.

Like God is saying, “ You are living too safe. I have so much more for you. Jump in . Dive down. I want you to throw off your fears and live reckless with your faith. BRAVE THE DEEP."

I’ve never been what one might call the “brave” type.

I like my life in definite terms. My future to be clearly outlined.

Give me a set of rules, a list of objectives, something concrete...and I’ll  gladly come along.

But to move with the wind of the Spirit, not sure where He might lead me...that’s just plain scary.

Do you know what SCUBA stands for?

Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus

An oxygen tank allows the person to breathe, explore, and swim around freely in the aquatic atmosphere.

I find this such a great analogy for the Christian life.

With Jesus we can move around with freedom in unfamiliar territory.

We have our own breathing machine….the breath of Jesus...to keep us from drowning.

We have access to the source of life...the only way to live without fear...at all times.

He is our Scuba tank!

When I recognize that my ability to brave the deep is not dependent on how much I can do on my own but on the very presence of Jesus Christ living within me, then I feel empowered to conquer this fear.

I can go beyond my very real and very daunting limits by allowing the Holy Spirit to navigate the waters for me.

He wants to take us to a deeper level of trust and intimacy with Him.

But we have to let go of our fear...and allow Him to be our oxygen tank.

Unlike the physical tank that Scuba divers use, the breath of Christ is always available...it never runs out.

He can keep us from crumbling under the pressure of a rapidly changing environment.

He can keep us from being eaten alive by the sharks of social media, negativity, or unforeseen circumstances.

He can keep us from drowning due to personal lack or insecurity or past mistakes.

Because He is the breath of life, the conqueror of fear, the never-changing One.

What are you waiting for?

This is your chance to go somewhere you've never been before.

Let God lead you into uncharted waters.

Let's brave the deep together.

Abundant Life

ABUNDANCE

-(noun) a large amount of something; plentiful; 

fullness to overflowing

My heart is full of hope 

and I want to share with you

That joy in life is not

Found in what..... but in WHO

I can have everything I want

And still be in desperate need

Of love so pure and true

And grace so light and free

Oh, nothing can compare

To the abundant life He gives

And all I have to do 

Is believe on Him that lives

For every day I need

to be reminded once again

That if it wasn't for His blood,

I'd be dead and buried in my sin

But the God of all things gracious,

full of mercy and of love,

Came and found me at my worst

And proves daily that He's enough

So to live this life in darkness

All covered up in shame

Is to believe the lie that says

"You're not worthy to be saved."

But when I listen to His voice,

the Truth drowns out the lies,

And my heart begins to see

with eyes wide-open to the Light

Then my pathway becomes straight

and my journey more serene,

as I cast my cares upon the Lord

and let Him take the lead.

Cause it's not about how far I get

or what I do along the way,

It's all about His love

And bringing glory to Jesus' name

When my vision becomes clear

And my focus is on the One

Then there's nothing I cannot do

No race I cannot run

So today I choose to look

beyond what my eyes can see

To a life of never-ending joy,

Overflowing with His peace

Yes, abundance is within me

It's all around me, front and back,

And I will not look away anymore

No, I will not live in lack

My inheritance is fulfillment  

My destiny is great

I will live this life on purpose

And choose each day to celebrate!

John 10:10-

"The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. 

I came that they may have and enjoy life, 

and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)."