Walk in freedom

Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.  2 Kings 6:17

When someone you love is struggling with sin or they are making choices you know won’t be good for them or others, it can really hurt. You grieve with the thought of them destroying their life because you love them so. 

So, you may try to step in. You speak truth to them. You try to stop them from doing what you know won’t go well for them. It’s good to gently point out someone’s sin to them in hopes of restoration (Galatians 6:1). But if they are unwilling to listen to what you, or others, have to say, it’s time to let go and give them to God. 

The Lord has recently reminded me that as much as I want to keep a loved one from the pain that will come from their sinful choices, it’s not my job. They are firmly in His hand. When a heart is hardened, and when eyes are blind, softness can only come through trouble and restored sight can only come through crushing.

For most of us, when we are caught in the snare of deception, a breakthrough only comes through a breaking.

“For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as a child” (Hebrews 12:6).

When I look back on my own journey, I am so grateful for the LORD’s discipline. Because He allowed me to feel the pain of my choices and sin, I am now on a straight path and will never go back to where I was before. No one could have lived my life for me back then or fixed my direction with a word. I had to learn difficult lessons that came from my sin on my own.

It’s so tough to see others walking into a situation that you know will burn them and hurt others. Today I am reminded I can’t fix anyone or their life, but I can pray, pray, pray.

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15).

I know it’s the Lord’s will that my loved one walk in freedom, so I can pray. I know it’s the Lord’s desire that they personally know Him, so I can pray. I know it’s His best for them that they be loosened from the snare of sin, so I can pray. And I know He loves them more than I do, so I can pray. I may not be able to change their heart, but I can pray that they come full circle to Christ, experience a humbling through their circumstances, and find Him once more. 

Be encouraged today. Those you love are held in His loving, mighty hand. 

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Pain relief

 Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5, NKJV

Pain hurts.

How many of us have multiple splinters embedded in our souls—forgotten, festering or fresh? Your hurt may be buried deep in the recesses of your memories, but on occasion it raises its ugly head and you discover your pain was buried alive. Forgotten from denial, but not dead because ongoing forgiveness in the power of the Spirit is the only remedy to remove the pain of past sins inflicted on your heart. You may never hear the words, “Will you forgive me?”, but you can still forgive and by God’s grace not be controlled by someone else’s past shaming. 

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

A festering hurt like a physical wound lingers with infection just below the surface: puffy, red and swollen intently waiting for love’s lance to bring relief. The puss of pride infects the blood of our emotions as it flows through our hurting heart with venomous affect—only the antivenom of humility can counteract pride’s deadly outcome. Humility recognizes and admits that the struggle of unresolved conflict corrodes relationships and clouds our judgment. Only when we go to our offender or the one we have offended and seek reconciliation, can we clear our consciences. 

“If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24).

Or maybe your wound is fresh. Take courage and forgive fast so the hurt doesn’t fester and lie dormant in resentment ready to attack unaware. When you are hurt or offended the amount of time it takes you to thank God and forgive is an indicator of how close your walk is with Christ. Some die in bitterness, for others it takes years to forgive, fewer months, fewer weeks, even fewer days, the more mature in their faith hours, saints seconds and those who walk closest to Christ, their thanksgiving and forgiveness are simultaneous to the offense. By God’s grace keep no record of wrongs and you will be free to love others as your heavenly Father loves you. 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Mathew 11:28-29).

Humility

 The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word and my servant will be healed.” Matthew 8:8, NKJV

Far too often, our sense of humility is rooted in a distorted view of self, not an elevated view of God.

It is easy to see our shortcomings and failures, to know better than anyone else the ways in which we have failed to be the men and women God has called us to be. We should therefore be quick to seek the forgiveness and mercy of God, asking him to heal us and make us whole. However, sorrow over our failures is not the same thing as genuine humility. True humility sees not only our failures, but even our absolute best selves, the full potential of who we are made to be, yet is still quick to embrace and celebrate one’s identity as a servant under authority.

You and I will never be humble until we gain clarity on the exceeding worth and value of Christ. In the words of the centurion, “I am not worthy” can only be a statement of true humility when it is said in relation to Christ and his infinite worth. By human standards, a centurion was a person of great significance, a military leader with command over 100 soldiers. In fact, it would be untrue for him to say he has no worth or significance, for everyone around him would have seen that to be false. 

Similarly, many of us have been entrusted with positions of leadership or given resources or education that invite great respect or honor. Faith in Christ does not require that we deny these truths or ignore the opportunities for influence that we have been given. What it does ask of us is a daily reassessment of our worth in light of the worth of Jesus Christ.

This centurion of old gives an example for all ages of the way of humility. Humility is found when we see Jesus for who he truly is and learn daily to see ourselves and the world around us through his great light.  And while his words are right and true - “I am not worthy” - as we welcome the Lord into our homes and lives, in the mystery of his goodness he makes us worthy. By his grace, we are seated at the royal table, invited to dine with the King as his sons and daughters. 

And so, mindful of the areas of leadership or influence we have been given, let us always remember and live with this reality before us, Christ is the King, and we are his faithful servants who lead, love, and serve, in order to invite others to encounter and abide in his perfect love.