“Lifting
Off”
Welcome to the launch!
Jesus said, “Then you will know the
truth,
and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:32
But those who hope in the Lord will
renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
They will run and not grow weary,
They will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Freedom
Freedom. It’s not just a rallying cry
on the lips of battlefield heroes like William Wallace. On Good Friday and
Easter, Jesus proved freedom is worth dying for so we can be set free to live
the life God intends. Jesus came to free us to become the unique person God
created us to be.
After years of bondage to generational
sin and toxic systems, God has set me free to soar. Over the past couple of
years the Father has orchestrated significant change. The Holy Spirit has made
major midlife adjustments in how I relate to my family, the church, and myself.
Following Jesus is not for wimps, but it sure is worth the adventure to mount
up with wings like eagles.
The transition has been intensely
personal, often painful, but deeply gratifying.
Now I’m free to live a balanced life.
I’m free to focus on using my gifts and passion, not on trying (and failing) to
satisfy the demands and expectations of others. I’m free to serve Christ
because I can, not because I must.
My life’s not perfect, never will be until
heaven. Lingering wounds need more healing. And as a textbook middle child
(translation: peacemaker/unifier), I’m a work in progress on being at peace
with serving from my strengths instead of striving to please others. Still, the
Lord has set me free of those things that for years rendered me barely able to
walk and not be faint, much less run and not grow weary.
What Can You Expect?
Your time is valuable, so I plan to
post about 500-600 words each Wednesday.
Jesus offers abundant life (John
10:10). May my thoughts and experiences encourage you on your journey. The Lord
will help you break free of your chains so you can fly with the rugged power
and easy grace of an eagle.
Next week I'll begin sharing why I left
church ministry (but not the church OR ministry) to be faithful to God's
call.
If you’re inspired to comment on
something I write, where do you agree? If you disagree, why? (Be kind!) What
strikes a chord or a nerve? How can we help one other attain greater freedom in
the Lord?
A Prayer for the New Year
May this prayer by Thomas Merton
(1915-1968) bless you during 2014.
My Lord God, I have
no idea where I am going.
I do not know the
road ahead of me.
I cannot know for
certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know
myself,
and the
fact that I think I am following your will
does not
mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please
you
does in fact, please you.
And I hope I have
that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will
never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I
do this you will lead me by the right road,
though I
may know nothing about it.
Therefore, I will
trust you always,
though I
may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for
you are ever with me,
and you will
never leave me to face my perils alone.
