Freedom to Grow

Time flies by. Especially when you don't have a great concept of time anyway. I feel like my last post wasn't long ago, but it was. In the time that has passed, some interesting things have happened. One of them is this-

I had been dreaming about this piece for at least a year, probably longer. I was hesitant at first, because I don't know what my profession will be in the second part of my life (when all my babies are grown and don't need me anymore, waaaaaa!) What if I want to do soemthing that I cannot do with a huge tattoo on my arm??? But God showed me that I am to live in freedom, not fear. Whatever He leads me to will allow for my most recent permanent addition. I might have been worried and fearful for years just to end up doing something that I could have done with tattoos anyway. And not only that, but having a tattoo so large and prominent is a great witnessing tool. I have already been asked about it several times in the last few weeks about it by non believers. They always say the same thing, "Ooo, self control. That's the hardest one." And as my babies are learning to read and I am teaching them the fruit of the spirit, I will have it in a very handy place for them to read from ;-)

So now that I have conquered the fears through Christ's freedom, I feel very different. I feel bold. Kind of B.A. (if you not know what that is, it's probably a good thing.) I have a new passion and no one is going to stop me. It's a lovely feeling ;-) And it is time I started writing some of these thoughts down again.

I stumbled across my mom's NIV/The Message side by side Bible today. I started looking up some favorite passages. The translation of Galations 5: 22-26 struck me as so brand new. I love The Message, not as a study Bible, but as a different interpretation with the same meaning, a breathe of fresh air, an understandable story. Read with me,

"22-23 But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

23-24 Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.

25-26 Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original." Galatians 5:22-26

Read it again (please). Soak it in. Breathe the words. Meditate on what He is telling you. I love every single letter. Fist of all, where Paul says, "He brings gifts into our lives." I always thought of the fruit as something that was growing, like a joint partnership between God and I growing these fruit. But I can also see them as gifts. God is giving me these gifts, things I could never do on my own. My pastor said something funny this weekend. He said that you never see a tree trying to grow fruit, struggling to make it happen (and then he acted out how that would look.) It is something that happens naturally when God grows something, when we rely on Him, water our life with His living water, it grows. And He can grow things mire beautiful then any man can make. And this part, this part is awesome: "legalism is helpless, it only gets in the way." Something I hear frequently from one of my favorite bands, Casting Crowns, is that Jesus wants everyone to know Him, but that sometimes we get in the way. When we care more about enforcing rules then reaching hearts, we get in His way. He freed us from the old law, live in that freedom! He freed us from our sins and death! Live like that means something to you! It's the best gift you could ever receive, and YOU get to invite people to receive that gift freely! Why aren't we doing this more and with more passion! Let's do this people!!!! And to make it even easier, we don't have to care what people think of us and we don't have to judge others, either. Verse 26 says "that means we will not compare ourselves with each other as is one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original." However you feel called to reach people is how you are supposed to do it. The way I do it and the way you do it may not be the same, but we are both called. We are original people with a identical purpose: shine the light of Jesus so bright, no one can deny you are different from this world. They are going to want what you have, and that is the love and forgiveness that comes with a relationship with the one and only Savior. Is there anything more exciting then that!?! Ok, I am excited. I hope you are too. What is one thing you can start doing today? One thing that Godnhas been putting on your heart to reach people? Do it. Maybe posting a scripture on Facebook. Maybe talking to your neighbor. Maybe inviting your coworker to church. Whatever it is, do it. I promise you it will be worth it.

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