Brasov. The beauty of this city is almost indescribable. The quaint side street cafes, the uneven cobblestone roads, the medieval architecture, the rolling Carpathian Mountains threatening to swallow the city from all sides are just a select few of the reasons this has become my new favorite city. From our vantage point in a park on the side of a hill we could see the city stretching out before us. But for a moment the beauty of this Transylvanian town was eclipsed by the beauty and truth of the words just spoken over me.
“You can’t seek freedom or self control. If you want either of those you have to seek Jesus. You must find joy in the Lord.”
Brasov faded from my mind. All thoughts faded away except the realization of what I’ve been missing all my life. These words had struck deep. Had I been doing it wrong my whole life?
To put this all in context I was telling my old squad leader Zach what I wanted out of the last few months of my Race. I had pinpointed all my troubles down to lack of self control. Yes, self control is a fruit of the Spirit so I have it already, but just a miniscule microscopic bit of it. I desired more. I thought that by finding my long lost self control that I would be able to stop myself from eating too much, or going on the internet too much, or doing things I know I shouldn’t. Basically, if I wanted something I just got it or did it. But all in one moment I realized that I was seeking self control to find freedom, not Jesus.
There have been so many times in my life where I have sought freedom and self control so intensely that I now realize those had become my idols, and was why so many times I couldn’t find freedom. Freedom comes from seeking after Jesus Christ. Seeking freedom to find freedom doesn’t even make logical sense. I can’t believe I hadn’t seen it before. Don’t get me wrong though, freedom and self control are amazing traits to have and seek after, but not when you seek after those more than Jesus, the one who gives freedom and self control.
I’ve started to see and believe that if you seek Jesus with all your heart and find supernatural joy in Him then you will be hard pressed to even desire the chokeholds on your life from before. Sure, you’ll still be tempted and it will probably increase when the enemy realizes he is finally losing you, but you’ll be able to resist him so much easier when the joy of the Lord becomes your strength.
Seek joy. Seek Jesus.
I’ve always heard pastors and teachers talking about the joy of the Lord but I don’t think I’ve ever truly experienced it. I don’t think I’ve ever been so in love with Jesus that the things of this world lose their appeal. I always kind of thought that finding that supernatural joy was unattainable.
The good news is; it isn’t.
I’m not going to finish this blog out with, “5 Steps to Finding Joy and Freedom in Jesus.” I don’t believe in following steps to attain a goal or relationship with Christ. What you already know are the things are that personally bring you closer to Him. Since you know those things already, press into them and press hard. For example, for me to seek Jesus means going out and praying in nature. It means praying without ceasing (you don’t only talk to a significant other once a day for 15 minutes at night so why only that with the Creator of the universe?). It means reading my Bible daily and not just as an item to cross off my spiritual checklist. It means worshiping Him.
For those who are seeking freedom or self control or whatever it is, are you ready to do this with me? Are you ready to seek Jesus with all your heart? The more you know the heart of Jesus the more you’ll know peace, joy, patience, goodness, self control and love. Then, as the old song says, the things of this world will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.
