I had planned on writing about something different today…but the Lord put this on my heart so strongly. So, I think it’s for one of you.
Freedom.
Freedom is a word that has been a HUGE theme for me on the race. I have seen people walk into freedom and I myself have walked into freedom. I think most racers can say they have experienced freedom in some area of their life (if not multiple) while on this journey.
One specific thing I’ve walked into freedom from is a previous relationship. In the past, I always felt a need to be more, do more and be ‘perfect’ when I dated someone…I didn’t want to let them down so I would wear myself out trying to be not only the picture perfect girlfriend but also the picture perfect human–which is IMPOSSIBLE by the way. I would do everything possible so I would never let them down.
But from this striving toward perfection, I would harbor bitterness in my heart. I would loose who I was in the process. I became a picture of what they wanted and didn’t walk fully in who God has called me to be. I wasn’t living in the complete freedom Jesus has called me into.
The first 4 months of the race was a process of letting go. A process of walking into freedom from the person I was expected to be. Walking into freedom from what I thought I needed or who I needed to be.
While in Bolivia, after experiencing a lot of pain and heartache that felt like an inability to let go, the Lord did something incredible. My team had been encouraging me since day 1 in the freedom Christ had for me…but I could never seem to get it right. They would tell me I could walk in this freedom but I never seemed to be able to do it. One of my friends, challenged me to talk about my freedom in the present…as if it had already happened and wasn’t in the future but was in the NOW. So I did…it was tough to say but I would say, ‘I am free!’ I couldn’t say it confidently at first, it honestly took a while. But then, one day, as I was sitting on the roof of the boat in Bolivia, I heard the Father say to me, ‘YOU ARE FREE! WALK IN IT!’
Ever since that moment, I have been able to walk in freedom. I have forgiven the hurt that was caused me. Jesus released me from the shackles and in the process I released that person as well. I no longer held bitterness, frustration or anger toward them.
I was FREE!
Freedom takes boldness.
Freedom takes forgiveness.
Freedom takes strength.
Freedom takes humbly bowing at the Fathers feet in submission to His will so He can break the shackles.
Freedom.
It’s worth it. It’s powerful. And it is a gift.
What shackles does the Father want to break off of you so you can walk in complete freedom?
