Fashioned for FREEDOM
I love Summer! For me, Summer brings memories of extended family times, late nights, picnics, and swimming in the pool in our backyard. We bought and installed an above-ground pool when our oldest grandchild was about three. I lived through almost all seven of them learning to swim, but the first was the most challenging candidate I observed. Carter, who is turning sixteen this October, was afraid of the water, and I mean afraid.
I can still envision him learning how to swim. He nervously stood on the pool deck while his daddy said, "Jump"– I'll catch you!" Standing between him and this new adventure was a decision only he could make; stay on the side of the pool where it's no fun but safe, OR take the leap and experience freedom. Once you leap, there is no turning back!
After much coaxing, one day Carter finally jumped in the pool and realized that his dad was right there to catch him. Within a short time, the swim vest came off, replaced by inflatable swimming armbands, and he was laughing, splashing, and enjoying the water. Eventually, the inflatable armbands were removed, and he was officially a swimmer.
Isn't that like our lives?
Standing between us and a new adventure is a decision only we can make; stay on the side of the pool where it's safe but not fun, OR take the leap and experience freedom. Once you leap, there is no turning back!
This thought has rolled around in my mind for several weeks. Over the years, I have watched women give their YES to Jesus and a life of adventure while others seemingly say NO, and live without a relationship with Jesus and all He wants for them.
You and I are fashioned for spiritual freedom. Once we take the leap, our journey begins.
The more we know our Savior, the more we walk in freedom. Our lives consist of daily decisions that lead to destinations that run toward Jesus or away from Him.
"I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts." Psalms 119:45
I love this scripture in Galatians 5:1, "For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery." When you read this entire chapter in Galatians, you will find the apostle Paul challenging new believers in Jesus Christ that they no longer needed to keep following the law of Moses regarding circumcision. What was the big deal? At first glance, it is easy to assume that this is about physical action, but there is much more to this admonition.
In Bible times, circumcision was a Jewish law requirement. Circumcision was the physical representation of the covenant between God and Abraham and the PROOF that you were included in the faith.
In the NEW TESTAMENT, physical circumcision is no longer required to secure your spot in God's Kingdom. We experience FREEDOM through accepting Jesus' sacrifice and death on the cross. Our freedom is tied to our mental (heart) leap into His arms. This is how we experience freedom.
Listen to this verse in Proverbs 4:23,
"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."
The proof of our inclusion in the faith is the circumcision of the heart. You can read this in Romans 2:29 "...true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; instead, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.
As you give your YES to a relationship with Jesus, a spiritual circumcision occurs – you are born again. A beautiful adventure awaits you! Every day becomes decision day, and you choose your heart's destination.
See yourself on the side of the swimming pool every day, ready to leap, and then go for it and experience freedom!
You are fashioned for FREEDOM.
Celebrating summer and freedom!
Liz
