Freedom

I heard the most amazing, freeing thought this week... a conversation from my women's Bible study went like this: a parent was worrying about their newborn child's well-being and safety but felt the Lord respond with: Your child is invincible until the day I call her home. One of these dear, sweet ladies concluded that truth must apply to ourselves as well <<--that we are invincible until the Lord calls us home(Did I mention she is wise, too? I have good friends!).  The more I've meditated on it this week the more I've realized it's not some pie-in-the-sky thought for living life with zest.  It's not some dreamy idea to sike yourself out of fear.  It is sound, biblical perspective. 


Psalm 139:16 says, "You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.  Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 
 I think that is worth repeating:  EVERY day of my life WAS recorded in God's book.  EVERY moment was laid out BEFORE a single day had passed.


I should probably pause here and let y'all in on a little something.  I am mildly obsessed with words like always, never, and every.  You see, I am  a bit very much a perfectionist.  In fact, it's so bad, I think others should be like me and then wonder why I am so wildly disappointed when no one, including myself, can live up to those expectations! (This problem is a whole other blog entry!)  Anyway, I am learning that only God Almighty, can be described in terms of ALWAYS, NEVER, and EVERY!!  (I promise, Harley, I am learning! Love you!)

So, with that being said, I think camping out on those words is a tad important.   This above-mentioned conversation was centered on what holds us back from living out generous and compassionate lives, lives that recklessly abandon our comfort zones, put safety on the back burner, and make us restless with the status quo.  Before one of your days came to be, they were known!  The unfortunate part is we don't know how many days we are guaranteed.  Our clocks are ticking! That begs to know, are you using your days to live out the purpose for which you were designed?  Or are you making excuses? Are we taking the opportunities set before us to use our lives for an extremely high calling?  Or are we telling ourselves we don't matter?  It doesn't just happen, folks!  We have to intentionally go for it!  For this to happen I think two very significant things must be in place.  1.) You have to know where you are headed.  You future must be decided. When you know where you're headed, don't you go with a little more confidence? We can be confident in our mission, but that happens only with faith in Christ Jesus. Romans 10:9,10 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. 2.) You must be where you are supposed to be.  When we are aligned with God's will and purpose for our lives, it doesn't matter if it's safe or dangerous, because exactly what is supposed to happen is going to happen! Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

When I fill my thoughts with this perspective, I know every fiber of my being must press on toward that which God has called me and my family. We are getting there!  Stay tuned...