Friday, July 24, 2009

Freedom

"I have paid the price to set you free." Isaiah 44:22

I sat at the table in the sunroom and watched as a moth beat it’s wings tirelessly on the window screen. My heart was torn. I wanted to scream at this little insect to turn around. I wanted to yell at it - YOU ARE OUTSIDE! The entire world is behind you. Without hesitation and with keen determination this moth relentlessly kept trying to force itself inside the room. Open space surrounded him. Miles and miles to fly. Sights to see. Adventures to appreciate. Yet, as if controlled by some invisible force, all day this moth didn’t stop it’s frantic pursuit. He didn’t understand his reality. He was already free.

Freedom. It brings with it sacrifice and implies blood shed. A battle was fought and a life was given…not taken. Jesus death was not the result of man, but of love. A love so unfathomable that it will never be comprehended, but it can be received and accepted. Do we appreciate and value the freedom we have received?

His ammunition was truth. His opponent, the father of lies. The battle raged, but victory was determined before it began. Rising as King and Conqueror, Jesus paid the price for our freedom. Through the agonizing separation from His Father as our sins were cast upon Him, Jesus experienced something we will never have to endure. Yet, have we embraced that freedom?

Too often I am like that moth. I’m beating my wings against the prison walls that hold me captive. If I would just turn around and embrace Him. God’s Word tells me that it is for freedom that He has set me free. (Galatians 5:1) Has set me free. Past tense. The work has been completed. Any stronghold that binds me is my choice, for it is not necessary. Freedom is my portion and God’s plan. May my life not nullify all that Christ has accomplished so I can soar to new heights with Him.



post signature

7 comments:

Laura said...

"The entire world is behind you..."

For some reason these words gave me chills, Joy.

What am I missing as I fruitlessly beat my wings?

On Purpose said...

"If I would just turn around and embrace Him"

Thats some great encouragement to start my morning!

Thank you my friend!

Love you...and prayers that your pressure/pain is getting less...and that He is preparing you for this weekend!

~Grace and Peace said...

This reminded me of a story relayed by a friend of mine. She said when they were on a mission trip to Africa, they met a person who rescued some pigeons. It turned out that the previous owners tied a rope around the pigeons' necks and tethered them to a pole. So everyday until they were rescued, the pigeons circled around that pole.

What is fascinating is that after the pigeons were rescued, and the ropes removed, they still insisted on circling that pole. They never flew away.

My friend said that sometimes we are like those pigeons, Jesus freed us yet we cling to our old ways, to what is familiar. Even when we have the capacity to fly.

Sharon Sloan said...

I am loving Isaiah! I feel like I need way more time in it to take in and digest all God gives us through Isaiah. I may go back and do an inductive study of Isaiah!

Free and soaring with you!

Genny said...

This was so wonderful to read, Joy! As always, thanks for the awesome reminder of the freedom He gives.

KellieS said...

Joy,

Thank you for visiting today and leaving a comment. I agree that Genny is a special woman. I knew it as soon as I landed on her site.

I enjoyed your post about freedom. God gives me analogies that involve animals and agriculture quite often. I love it because it makes understanding easier. I will visit again.

Kellie

Danielle said...

~~Any stronghold that binds me is my choice, for it is not necessary.~~

Oh, how I have found this to be true... on many occastions.

This was a beautiful post. Lyrical in essance. I love your style of writing and it gets me every time.

Thank you, sister!