FREE

Inspired by Tip Junkie's http://www.tipjunkie.com/giveaway-word-of-the-year/ My friend Paige and I struck up a conversation about what our word of the year was. I thought hard about what word I would choose and I decided on FREE.

Free which is what I am in Christ. In 2011 I want to remember to walk in that Freedom daily! I love the way Pastor Bob Hamp defines Freedom, "  Our definition of Freedom is based on two verses in the Bible. In John Chapter 8, Jesus tells the crowd, “you can know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.”  In 2nd Corinthians 3, Paul tells the Corinthian church, “…where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Freedom.”
Rather than define freedom as the absence of bad behavior, or the expulsion of demonic forces, we believe the Bible tells us that freedom is the not the absence of something, it is the presence of Someone.  Certainly some things get in the way, but removing them does not equal freedom.  Freedom is when you engage the presence of God and become the person you are created and redeemed to be."

That last sentence I have heard Bob say so many times, "Freedom is when you engage the presence of God and become the person you are created and redeemed to be." Still when I hear and read it I get a refreshed look at what true freedom is. Freedom is peace in the storm, freedom is joy in the pain, freedom is light in the dark, freedom is warm in the cold, freedom is kindness when hated, freedom is gentle, freedom is love, freedom is hope, Freedom from responding/reacting in ways the world would expect of me, freedom is everything God intended us to be from the beginning of time. Free to praise and fellowship with Him in the closest of ways.

While thinking of this topic I went back to Pastor Bob's TDLD app on my phone.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tdld/id411966627?mt=8  I listened to him tell the story of the Acrobat again. I love that story, I get something new out of it every single time! It is in his book also.  If you haven't heard or read it you should. It reminded me personally of how God wants me to step into the role He designed for me since the beginning of time. That we should boldly, fearlessly meet this destiny each day. That the details of our lives are worked out by a loving, all knowing God who is FAITHFUL to His people.

"you will know the truth and the truth will make you free" This year my focus is on TRUTH, my eyes set on HIM, the Lord God. Freedom isn't something to strive for it is the GIFT that you get when you are in constant communion with the Lord. It is impossible to be FILLED WITH TRUTH and NOT BE BREAKING CHAINS and getting more FREE with every new truth that my heart absorbs.

I have often looked at people in the middle of terrible circumstance and wondered how they make it. How do they sleep? How do their hearts not explode from the sheer weight of the situation. Some seem to handle it with tears and grace in a way I don't often understand. I am beginning to see that when you have a close relationship with the Lord. When you can truly, trust him to carry the weight, even if the load is still heavy, you can continue to stand and place one foot in front of the other. Trusting that He won't let you be crushed. That He will lighten the load one item at a time and when it is time to rest and the work is done, he will rub your sore muscles. Then the next time they are stronger. The load isn't as difficult. Yet He is still there to share the journey.

Free, Free to walk with my Saviour every day. I am Free because GOD gave me the choice. I am Free because GOD made me to be exactly who he created and redeemed me to be!