Freedom in Christ
Freedom is a word that has been dancing around my mind recently, and the topic of freedom in Christ has been very present and heavy on my heart. Before we dive into this blog, I have two things to say. First- As always, every ounce of glory to God. I am simply the messenger. He empowers, inspires & touches hearts. I just write what he leads me to. Second- I do not write this to gain sympathy or attention, I write this because I feel vulnerability takes the power away from Satan. And helps us know we aren’t alone in our struggles, we all have them. Let’s bring them to the light and allow God to bring glory to his name through them. In this past month I’ve taken some time to really reflect and see the work that God has completed in me as I’ve grown over the years, I not only reflected on the past but I took a step back and took a look to see how he is growing and working in me in this very present moment. For years I’ve been entangled in lies, fear, bitterness & doubt. I’ve battled with anxiety, depression, disordered eating & negative self-image. I’ve looked for escape routes from all these burdens. I’ve looked high and low, in every corner and crevasse. I’ve even dared to look to myself to find freedom. But as you may have guessed I ran in circles, and let me tell you it’s quite exhausting and painful. If you talk to anyone that knows me they will agree with me on this. I am a fearful person, I’ve carried an anxious spirit around with me for years. I’ve missed out on many opportunities since I was a little girl simply because I was just scared. Many days I fought with depression from sunrise to sunset, gloom lingering over my eyes. I battled with lies screaming at me telling me I’m unworthy and alone. Sadly, there has been many friendships bruised by me and my own insecurity, because of a wrecked self-image. I’ve been weighted down by shame and guilt hidden deep within because of a reliance and dependence I have for food to meet my emotional needs. Did you just read all of that? does that sound like a young girl living in freedom? a life lived abundantly? I’ll say it with you, it sure doesn’t. I wasn’t meant to carry those things, he didn’t send his son to die for me so that I could continue to walk in darkness. He sent his son so that I may experience life and experience it abundantly! So that I may also experience joy and the sweet sweet taste of freedom. And he did the same for you! In these moments where I felt this weight would never cease, I’d tell myself that maybe I wasn’t trying hard enough or maybe it was just pointless. But though I looked high and low I didn’t look to God. I didn’t seek his guidance or his truth. I looked to myself. Let me just tell you this and save you some time searching for freedom. When we try and look to ourselves for help, it’s like digging from a rusty empty bucket. There’s nothing in us that is able to provide freedom. I’ll say it right now, I’m imperfect, I’m a sinner. I can’t save myself from my own sin and my friend neither can you! But by his merciful grace you and I aren’t left wallowing in hopelessness, he sent his son to die for us. He paid the ultimate sacrifice so that you and I may receive forgiveness and {key word here} walk in glorious FREEDOM from ourselves & our sin. He has made a way, all we have to do is surrender ourselves, our struggles, our temptations, and our burdens to him and let him take the lead. When we seek him, we find freedom in his truth, and from there he enables us to grow. You may say how do I attain this freedom myself? For me I wasn’t able to see these things in myself, I was running in circles for such a long time carrying this weight that I wasn’t able to even recognize it anymore. But thankfully the Lord has provided me friends and family who have spoken truth so gracefully into my life. First - go to God in prayer and say Lord if there’s something in my life that isn’t bringing glory to you please reveal it to me and lead me to your truth. “Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”. Second talk to someone you trust and who knows you well. And ask them to point out somewhere in your life where you may need some smoothing or trimming. Third meditate on scripture, hang it up around your house, put it wherever you will see it and let his truth and love fill the places where fear, or hurt cut and let his love run deeper. You aren’t meant to carry these burdens, freedom has already been bought! you must to allow it to be active in your life. Lay it at the cross, and allow him to grow you. Break the shackles off your ankles and walk in freedom. I know it can be painful coming face to face with your struggles, but oh the taste of freedom is so sweet, come and share it with me. Now I will share how God has worked in me. Once again ALL glory to him, anything good or honorable in me is all because of him. He’s still growing and working in me. And he will continue that work till I see him face to face. But I’ve tasted freedom, I am not living in constant fear, In the past months I’ve jumped into new opportunity’s instead of shying away. I have joy & hope despite my circumstances, I see him in the midst of every storm. I am starting to see myself the way he’s created me, I’m finding my identity is in him and that my value and worth comes from him and that no person nor anything can take that away from me or diminish it. I’m learning to be fully dependent on him for every need. Lastly, I’m learning that there is no shame or guilt in Jesus Christ. Only grace upon grace. Let his freedom rain upon you, and dance with joy because our God is a good father! Galatians 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” Psalm 34:4 “I sought the Lord and he answered me he has delivered me from all my fears” Please go and listen to this song, freedom is yours my sweet friends. https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/o-come-to-the-altar-acoustic/1296306974?i=1296306985 God bless you, Mikayla Ann Kent
4 Comments
Grace
8/17/2018 05:19:48 pm
WOW Beautiful
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chris miller
8/17/2018 11:44:46 pm
Sweet Mikayla- May God give you the strength and courage to face each new day. You are beautiful and your heart beats for Jesus.Thank you for sharing. Love You and Hugs- Ms. Chris
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Vera
8/18/2018 05:41:13 am
Thank you! I love you!!❤️💕😘
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Sis
8/18/2018 07:51:57 am
You have a way with words my goodness <3 you are doing such good work for the kingdom, keep inspiring us all :)
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AuthorI'm just a 17 year old girl, who has a passion for Jesus and longs to encourage and connect with other people through the shifting seasons of life, and the lessons learned through them. Archives
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