Finally Freed

Something happens when we finally understand Christ’s freedom. Our essence of worry is transformed into living purpose. Our energy of judging others becomes a lifestyle of service to their needs. The question of, “How could Jesus love them?” goes to a realization of, “How could Jesus love me?” Humility and brotherly love is the difference. When freedom finally makes sense, we react.

Do we live confused of who Jesus is?  Jesus is more than a character in a story, but our connection to the Author of the novel. He is not the face of a do-this-do-that religion, but the relationship of- you did this and I still love you. When freedom finally makes sense, we realize.

Are we being selfish with the gospel? Once we accept Jesus we aren’t called to keep Him to ourselves, but let people know- we must let them know! By being a follower of Jesus, we bring others to Him because we have the fix to emptiness. We must show the forgiveness done. Selfishness is the complete opposite of Jesus. Non-followers should bother us, not through a legalistic view but the status of their souls. When freedom finally makes sense, we reach out.

Something happens when we finally understand Christ’s freedom. Our struggles are regrouped. The fear of not fitting in this world becomes a fear of not standing out enough for Jesus. The anxiety of not living up to this world’s standard is erased and, “I choose to serve God.” is written in. When freedom finally makes sense, we regroup.

Living out the gospel wrong pauses our joy in Christ. We need to rework how we have lived out the good news. Our salvation is neither a token to sin carelessly, or a requirement not to sin ever. Our salvation is the deliverance from the pressure to be perfect. God wants our obedience, He wants us to love His Son, and He is ready to rescue us. When freedom finally makes sense, we reevaluate.

This life is not about us, it’s about Jesus. On the cross, it should’ve been us, not Jesus. We don’t have to (nor are we able to earn God’s grace), because Jesus. It’s all about Jesus. Freedom is evident when we love, like Jesus. Freedom is evident when we live, like Jesus. Freedom finally makes sense, we will remember.

 

Typed, Revised, & Edited

Cameron

 

Becoming a Tree

He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season. Psalms 1:3. 

We live in a confusing world, with a quickly persuaded and always changing culture. We are surrounded by new ideas, patterns, and acceptances able to cause our minds to sway. Do we have a possibility of living steady in a perplexed time as this? Yes, by planting ourselves in freedom. How? By becoming trees.

Plants are not my expertise so I had to *dig into some Google results. I needed to compare  shrubs with trees. One can easily point out external contrasts, but we need to see the internal makeup. The difference to help us today, is this: shrubs have multiple trunks whereas a tree only has one. 

“Is there a point?” I’ll show you.

The reason we can often feel shaky is because we are planting ourselves near a variety of sources. Our roots are tangled in temporary provision. By this I mean: we put trust in man, we pause God, or we put security in ourselves. Can you picture a common shrub? Notice the frailness of the leaves. We wont survive as weak shrubs in an exposed world able to easily conform us.

Isn’t it possible we are being as these plants? Remember, they have multiple trunks. At times, can’t we be confused on what to believe, or what category we want to be in? When we have uncertainty in our confidence,  we carelessly settle. The feeling we have to stretch this way to please and that way to prove. We are thrown so many ideas to consider, and often it can seem like the world isn’t giving us a choice. “If you don’t agree with our new way, then you are against us all.” This is why we must become trees. This is why we must remain planted in Christ.

Trees have one trunk, they are sure of the source of their nourishment. As followers of Jesus, our freedom is accessorized with confidence. In a back-and-forth culture, we must stay near God and His Word. …Like a tree planted by the water. There is wisdom in this truth, are you ready for it? When we live as trees, we know the only source of life we need is God- the water. Rooted near to Him: we hunger for scripture, thirst for service, cry out in prayer, and in our follow through we become solid trees.

Freedom flourishes when we are living firm in Jesus. We have a way out of pleasing and proving because we are sure in the care of our Father. Our roots are in order because we are pointing them to the cross and outreaching with His love. Shrubs sway in confusion, but as trees, we bloom because of His freedom. With one trunk we are balanced in God’s truth and can’t be moved by the world’s pressure. So go on, be and live as a tree.

 

Typed, Revised, & Edited

Cameron