Living in Freedom and Flow: A Gift from God

I went downtown to get a cup of coffee during some alone time with my current reading book. On my drive back home, I felt this urge to go a different route. Instead of turning toward my road to head home, I drove beyond. This route eventually led me to a familiar, favorite nature spot.

I decided to walk a path I had previously taken before. But there was something different about this particular experience. I had no other distractions or agendas. And I had a call upon my heart to respond.

Straight ahead of me was the sight and sound of rushing water. I paused to take in the wonder and awe of it through my senses. As I watched, I made a mental note of four interesting attributes of these waters.

First, I saw small waves which surged, like having short bursts of energy. Then, I observed smooth waves which seemed to gently glide along. Next, I watched as these waves pooled together on the far side, collecting in a spiral. Finally, the waters rushed towards some rocks, crashing into them like a harsh tempest storm.

Instantly, I felt a bond with these waters, deep within my soul. This journey called life seems to have such similar attributes. Sometimes I can face my circumstances with surges of energy. Once my heart feels safe and content, I gently glide along. As if my days are like smooth sailing.  Then, something pulls my attention causing my heart and head to spiral out of control. Before I know it, I’m rushed into circumstances by a tempest storm and crashing into life’s obstacles.

The thought that life’s circumstances seem to occur in this repetitive cycle overwhelms me. But as I continued to watch these waters, a deeper call pointed out there’s something more.

No matter what the circumstance, the waters did not have a natural inclination to resist. In fact, the commonality amongst every attribute was summed up as this: freedom and flow. This experience so profound united my understanding of living life according to the Spirit of the Living God.  

FREEDOM: 

Let me be clear, the Anointed One has set us free—not partially, but completely and wonderfully free! We must always cherish this truth and stubbornly refuse to go back into the bondage of our past.– Galatians 5:1 TPT [emphasis mine]

FLOW:

Then on the most important day of the feast, the last day, Jesus stood and shouted out to the crowds— “All you thirsty ones, come to me! Come to me and drink! Believe in me so that rivers of living water will burst out from within you, flowing from your innermost being, just like the Scripture says!” Jesus was prophesying about the Holy Spirit that believers were being prepared to receive…– John 7:37‭-‬39 TPT [emphasis mine]

In contrast, living life according to my flesh causes me to resist. And I realized that this resistance happens no matter what good or bad comes my way. Whether I experience loss, or a gift. Whether I feel despair, or have reason to hope. Whether I am deep within sorrow, or overcome with joy. Because my natural tendency is to push away that which has been given.

This resistance is a result of the life of sin and death. But I believe in who Christ is and surrender myself to what He has done. As a child of God, I receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in my life. Meaning, this gift of freedom and flow is mine for the taking.

This is available to me even in the midst of surges, smooth sailing, spirals, or storms. It’s a blessing during both the good and the bad. And because of this gift, I choose to give and live in such a way that personifies this outpouring- sharing with others this same freedom and flow.

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So now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life-union with Jesus, the Anointed One. For the “law” of the Spirit of life flowing through the anointing of Jesus has liberated us from the “law” of sin and death. For God achieved what the law was unable to accomplish, because the law was limited by the weakness of human nature. Yet God sent us his Son in human form to identify with human weakness. Clothed with humanity, God’s Son gave his body to be the sin-offering so that God could once and for all condemn the guilt and power of sin. So now every righteous requirement of the law can be fulfilled through the Anointed One living his life in us. And we are free to live, not according to our flesh, but by the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit!- Romans 8:1‭-‬4 TPT

Casting Oneself in Love and Casting Out Fears

The winter blues has me missing warmer weather and the outdoor activities that accompany it. One of my favorite summer pastimes is a family fishing day. Our family of four would regularly pack up to spend a few hours at our local reservoir.

My husband and son would identity their best spot and set up their fishing rods. My daughter and I would locate the nearest bench and watch from uphill. Both enjoying the scenery and supporting their efforts from slightly afar.

My husband spent countless times showing our son how to cast the fishing line. At times, he modeled it using his own pole. Other times, he cast our sons line for him. And the rest of the times, our independent toddler opted to cast the line himself. Often, getting it caught in the weeds on the bank.

I can’t say that much fishing was truly had. As a spectator, it both tickled and frustrated me to witness. I often wanted to take the matter into my own hands. But I now understand that the learning experience for our son was a integral part of becoming skillful for later on in life.

I see how I relate to my toddler in a spiritual sense. I want to be so independent and say, “I’ve seen this done before, I can handle this.” Then, I cast all my efforts into my circumstances. And most often, it results in me getting tangled up in life’s weeds. Any spectator would be both tickled or frustrated to watch my efforts.

Nearly every time this entanglement happens, I become all too fearful. Look at the mess I’ve made. Can you help me out, Lord? Where are you? And yet He’s right there with me. Just as my husband is close by our son’s side. Waiting patiently and ready to help.

The Holy Spirit reminds me; look at the model of Jesus and how He cast Himself in love to others- in life and in death. He is the greatest example and points us back to our perfect Father. 

[Jesus speaking] I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. (John 13:15 NLT) Since you are children of a perfect Father in heaven, you are to be perfect like him.” (Matthew 5:48 TPT)

And how can one be perfected like our heavenly Father? By becoming the image of Him, which is love.

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. (1 John 4:9-10, 16‭-‬17 NLT)

The Holy Spirit also reminds me what to do when I’ve gotten myself tangled up in fears; give it all over to the holy One. He is love. He is perfect. And He will cast your fearful circumstances far away from you. 

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.. (1 John 4:17‭-‬18 NKJV)

The combination of following Jesus’ modeled example, God’s perfect love, and casting away our fears can be interwoven in the following guideline: It is written. 

By casting my self in His love, I am to take His word and put it into practice. Whether in speech, in actions, in behaviors. Whether I think I have it all figured out, or I don’t. Whether I make the cast and get tangled up in life’s circumstances. I can trust that each experience is an integral part of becoming skillful for later in this life. But only because my heavenly Father is always and forever present. And His helpfulness to my efforts points to His goodness, greatness, and glory. 

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God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.- Psalms 46:1‭-‬3‭, ‬10‭-‬11 NLT

Saying “Yes!” to Right Now

“Not right now.” I’m guilty of repetitiously quoting this phrase to my children.

Just the other day, my daughter was chasing my heels and trying to hand me a book. The same book I had already read twice before 7:30 AM. And just one of the dozens of others I knew she would hand to me thereafter. I hurriedly muttered, “Not right now, Sissy”.

Except this time, I heard an internal voice chime back at me, “If not now, then when?”. I stopped in my tracks and whispered back, “Yes, You’re totally right!”.

I decided to cease what I was doing in order to read her that book. Because I knew if I didn’t, I’d fall into my cycle of, “Mommy just needs to finish ______, and then I’ll read it to you”. And then task one morphs into task two. Task two magnifies task three. Task three trails onward to task four. And before I know it, half the day is gone and I still haven’t read that one book.

This revelation dawned on me that I don’t just fall into this cycle with my children. But I have been guilty of doing this with Almighty God. I offer up a quick “Thank You, Lord, for this day”. I check off a couple devotions. And then I move hastily to those stacked up tasks.

Though non-verbal to my daily tasks, it’s as if my actions have muttered to God’s bid for me to “Come!” with a harsh “Not right now!”. And His still, small voice acknowledges my disregard by saying, “If not now, then when?”.

Every day is a new opportunity to say to my Creator, “Yes, You’re totally right! Right now is when.”.

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.- Lamentations 3:21‭-23, ‬25 ESV

The soul who seeks the Lord is one who joyously responds saying yes to right now. Here are but a few ways to do so:

• Surrender– Before the day begins, maybe even before my feet hit the floor, I can choose to yield my heart and thoughts to the Lord. So then, surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and resist him and he will turn and run away from you. Move your heart closer and closer to God, and he will come even closer to you. … Be willing to be made low before the Lord and he will exalt you!- James 4:7‭-‬8‭, ‬10 TPT
• Worship– This is more than just playing some Christian tunes and singing godly lyrics. It is a glimpse into the posture of my heart. Whatever I place the most emphasis upon is where my heart is postured. Now, with breathtaking wonder, let everyone worship Yahweh, this awe-inspiring Creator. The Lord looks over us from where he rules in heaven. Gazing into every heart … he observes all the peoples of the earth. The Creator of our hearts considers and examines everything we do. The eyes of the Lord are upon even the weakest worshipers who love him— those who wait in hope and expectation for the strong, steady love of God.- Psalms 33:8‭, ‬13‭-‬15‭, ‬18 TPT
• Prayer– I often tend to overcomplicate this one. This doesn’t have to be forcing out perfect words or meeting a specific time quota. It’s simply longing to have conversation with the Lover of my soul. … But the Holy Spirit rises up within us to super-intercede on our behalf, pleading to God with emotional sighs too deep for words. God, the searcher of the heart, knows fully our longings, yet he also understands the desires of the Spirit, because the Holy Spirit passionately pleads before God for us, his holy ones, in perfect harmony with God’s plan and our destiny.- Romans 8:26‭-‬27 TPT
  
• Gratitude– I often remember to thank God for the physical blessings I have- life, my family, a home, a car, food, clothing, etc. But, I, too, should thankfully acknowledge every spiritual blessing that’s promised to me as God’s beloved child. Let every activity of your lives and every word that comes from your lips be drenched with the beauty of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. And bring your constant praise to God the Father because of what Christ has done for you!- Colossians 3:17 TPT
  

Before the tasks begin. In between the tasks. After the tasks are complete. -It’s not about ignoring life’s demands. But it’s also not about ignoring God’s call to “Come!”. I have found there are so many reasons and opportunities to obediently transform my heart’s response from “Not right now!” to “Yes! Right now!”.

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“Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life. Come every day to me and you will never be hungry. Believe in me and you will never be thirsty. But everyone my Father has given to me, they will come. And all who come to me, I will embrace and will never turn them away.”- John 6:35, 37 TPT (bold emphasis mine)

A Word for the Year: Reflection and Resolution

2019. The first time I jumped on the Word for the Year bandwagon. In December 2018, I felt such a passionate fire in my heart to declare arise as my word for 2019. And more specifically to shift my purpose to Wake up! (Romans 13:11) and Go! (Mark 16:15).

I was so focused on fulfilling calling and purpose for God’s kingdom that I took this to heart. I thought I would spend 2019 writing a book entitled ‘Arise: Wake Up and Go’.

Unfortunately, like many times in my life, I start projects with such zeal. I continue with determination when the going gets tough. Then, once I’ve had enough of certain pressures I, most often, don’t finish my purposed tasks. Much like this book’s manuscript.

What I originally intended with this book became snuffed out by doubts. It tripped me up by wondering if I really understood my calling and purpose with clarity. I became too sidetracked by distractions. I felt a heaviness of daily frustrations and quickly became overwhelmed.

I felt like a failure with my literal interpretation of my Word for the Year. It had seemed as though the word was lost on me. However, I had previously purposed within my heart to accomplish something in full- from start to finish. I internalized my new year’s resolution to read through the Bible in a year. Midway through the year, I almost gave up as I dwelt upon my heart motives. I knew my heart was in the wrong place as I attempted to complete this personal challenge to prove something to myself. Although I persevered, I felt disappointed in myself and nearly depressed.

Until today. I reflected upon this year’s journey with gratitude in my heart. And I found that God did, in fact, show up BIG in my life this year. He’s merciful. He’s gracious. He’s faithful. He’s loving. And He’s oh, so good. 

1) In determining to write my book, I was led to forgive two crucial persons that have impacted my life. I particularly held onto [over two decades each] of hurt and grudges from our relationships together. It cascaded into uncovering several years of suppressed pains, from and against, other certain peoples. Those of which I didn’t know we’re hidden in my heart. More forgiveness flowed.

Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness.  -Luke 11:35 (NLT)

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. -Matthew 6:14‭-‬15 (NLT)

2) As a consequence of forgiving, my heart began it’s transformation to healed. God’s light shone upon areas of my heart that needed further repentance (perfectionism, control, striving). I found freedom from pursuing worldly affirmations and approval. And I learned to become better acquainted with God’s heart.

Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.
Acts of the Apostles 3:19‭-‬20 (NLT)

3) In dedicating myself to reading the Word, I saw how God grew me with deeper revelations than I have ever experienced in my lifetime. He demolished lies I often believed, such as common “worldly wisdoms”. He transformed thoughts of Who I believed Him to be. I once thought He was out to punish me for every wrong choice I made (which is A LOT). But instead of punishing me for my wrong heart motives in reading the Word, He proved Himself faithful with the gifts of growth, help with perseverance, and deeper understanding of Truth.

But the Lord Yahweh is always faithful to place you on a firm foundation and guard you from the Evil One. Now may the Lord move your hearts into a greater understanding of God’s pure love for you and into Christ’s steadfast endurance.
2 Thessalonians 3:3‭, ‬5 (TPT)

I’m so grateful for this year. God truly beckoned me to arise. To Wake up! from a religious slumber. Of going through the motions of life while proclaiming to be a Christian, but harboring grudges and unforgiveness in my heart. He asked me to Go! and do the hard things that were needed to be done for deeper revelations and transformations.

Because isn’t that what any of us are called and purposed to do? To love Him with our lives, showing utmost obedience to Him, in order to bring glory to His name. He has been, and will continue to be, faithful to point all my failures and frustrations back to Him, His goodness, and what He has done.

I look forward to what I feel deep in my heart is for 2020. After prayerfully considering a word for the year, my heart is wide open and ready for renewal. And of course, to shout and proclaim glory to His name along the way!

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“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”- Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)

Steep in God’s Word: How to Get the Most Out of Scripture

The chill of fall weather draws me to the comforts of a warm cup of tea with honey. Recently, I grabbed my box of tea and set out to make my cup. While waiting, I opted to read the directions on the back of my tea packet.

It read: “Get the most out of every cup“.

• “Bring water to boiling and steep 7 minutes.”
• “For stronger tea, use 2 tea bags.”
• “Drink 3-6 cups daily.”
• “To warm up or soothe the throat, such as for singing or public speaking, sip as needed throughout the day.”

As I have been seeking to move closer to the Lord relationally, I felt such delight when reading these directions. I discovered that by steeping in God’s word, I can get the most out of every scripture.

Boiling means “to an extreme degree”. Steeping is defined as “to cover with or plunge into a liquid (as in bathing, rinsing, or soaking)”.

In order for me to get the most out of every scripture, the first step is this: Extremely regarding God and His word as the means in which I should live and walk in love. Taking the plunge to open up His word. Soaking in His word. Covering myself with His word. Just like the longer tea “steeps” it tastes better, so it is the longer I steep in the word of God!

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”- John 8:31-32 (NKJV)

This second application is one that I have personally found to be helpful in really hearing God’s voice through His word. Having stronger tea suggests using two tea bags. Having stronger knowledge of the word suggests using two (or more) translations.

I grew up reading God’s word through a King James Version (KJV) Bible. Unless someone is truly familiar with that language (which I wasn’t) it is very hard to understand what is being spoken. As I aged, I sought out different translations. My favorite FREE resource to provide access to all translations is by using the YouVersion Bible App.

There can be controversy about this topic, as with anything really. But when my heart posture is to seek God through His word, I trust that He will lead, deepen my understanding, and grow me in His truths. As Jesus prayed in the gospel of John;

I have given them your word. ..Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. ..I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.- John 17:14, 17, 19 (NLT)

Step three of getting the most out of every scripture is this: Read God’s word all throughout the day. Not just once a blue moon. Not just ‘liking’ that inspirational verse that someone else shared. No, I’m talking about immersing myself in God’s word, receiving His spiritual nourishment, every chance I can get.

I have my physical bibles in a couple rooms of my home. These are used during my “child-free” times. (Mind you, I have a 15-month old that just wants to rip it’s pages!). I regularly use my Bible App. The benefit of this is there are certain translations in which I can audio-play, this particularly blesses my children. It also provides ways for me to complete practical devotions which have scriptural references. Additionally, I read faith-based books or complete bible study books which are infused with scripture. There are endless opportunities if I commit myself- like one who drinks 3-6 cups of tea daily.

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes!- Psalm 119:9-12 (ESV)

This last application warms my heart and soothes my soul. God’s very scripture is beneficial for multiple reasons. To teach and correct, provide guidance, offer hope using promises, give greater depth of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. I learn Who God is and who He says I am. I discover how to share this Good News with others. I identify how to truly love.

Scripture can be used to sing songs. It can be used as prayers when I’m not otherwise sure how to pray. It can shift my perspective by reminding me how blessed I am and how I can thank God for what I have (or not yet have). One thing I have found, it is needed throughout my day.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.- Colossians 3:16 (NKJV)

If it’s not evident by now, I must declare my affections. I love God and His word, just as I love a warm cup of tea (with honey) on a cool fall day. How have you, or can you, get the most out of steeping in God’s word?

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How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.- Psalm 119:103-105 (ESV)