How would it feel for you to be free? I mean TRULY free? That's what we all hope and live for, right?
Freedom, is such a beautiful thing when we see it - and actually possess it. I know for me, there was a time where I thought the freedom divorce would grant me from a very narcissistic, controlling, and manipulative man - was true freedom. And while I did feel tremendous safety and joy no longer being under his dominance, it did not create lasting freedom.
Just this week, I was able to legally secure an end to the travel restriction that man still had me under to stay within the state of Texas. I am now able to freely live in Colorado, for which, I am so very grateful. But even that, while wonderful and necessary, does not ensure total freedom for me. To clarify even further, I am not talking about the kind of freedom to travel the country, to control one's own schedule, to wear masks or not wear masks, to practice religious freedom, freedom of speech, right to bear arms, or even the rights as a woman to exercise control of one's own body. Those forms of freedom, while very real in their form and valuable in many ways, are common misconceptions of of what true freedom really is.
I am talking about the kind of freedom that, regardless of circumstance, ensures a liberty of heart, mind, and soul. About a freedom of spirit, that, no matter where we find ourselves, ensures true liberty. This freedom I am talking about...Jesus purchased for us. It is the kind of freedom that allowed a slave to be free, (think, the Apostle Paul), while still in physical bondage (in prison).
I know both how to be brought low, and I know how to abound: (everywhere, and in all things I am instructed) both to be full, and to be hungry; both to abound, and to suffer need. - Philippians 4:12
This, written by a man that was beaten, flogged, wrongfully imprisoned. If you think about some of your hardest situations in life, I think you can find comfort in those words. Jesus, who was beaten and crucified, and was bound to a cross - had enough freedom of spirit to forgive those who were still in the process of killing Him.
The scriptures have more than a few things to say about real freedom, which I think you'll find worth the read or reminder.
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 (referring to being brought back under religious bondage to the law)
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption - Romans 8:15
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself. - Galatians 5:13,14
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. - Romans 6:22
For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. - Romans 8:20, 21
And perhaps no book speaks for freedom in such a compelling way as the prophet and book of Isaiah:
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners - Isaiah 61:1
Can you not hear the heart of God for His children to live free? That language - those words, are not accidental, and while beautiful to recount, are not simply poetic. This same passage, a prophesy Jesus owns - He lays claim to in the Gospel of Luke. This was His destiny and full intention...to set us free - not to indulge in selfish living, but to love others in the liberating love of the Father. Free to abound - free to FLOURISH.
To borrow from some friends at James River Church, you were - designed for LIFE. To flourish in your relationships through counter cultural love. To flourish in your life, work, and calling with peace, strength, integrity.
My dear sister, if you have not taken this deep into your heart and mind, I encourage you to do so now. You were made to be free. To live free, as a beloved child of loving heavenly Father.
Let this freedom burn from the inside like a fire - but share it - let it out, and share it with your SHE sisters...your family and friends.
SHE is FREE my friends - to flourish, in Jesus' name. Because SHE is YOU.
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PS - Feel free to leave a comment in our comment section. I look forward to connecting with you!