First, I really never know when it's a good idea to put something in blog format. I have lots of thoughts running around in my head and I can't ever decide which ones are worthy of the blog (in my "It's the clawwwwww" from Liar, Liar voice".) But, I did this as devotion at chapter for my sorority the other night, and when I got done so many things kept popping in my head that I could have added so here goes-
We all have seen the leash kids. My friends and I have a strange fascination, I won't lie. They're the one's that like want to run everywhere and do everything they can possibly do in one place. I completely assume that they are wild and adventurous, and so the only logical way to keep them in the safety zone is to put them on a leash. As I was sitting in class pondering the leash kids (and giggling a little), I started to think about how it related to me. While I was never put on a real leash, I have spent many a days feeling like I was on a very tight one. My leash = my faith. Man oh man those days I have spent feeling like being a Christian is holding me back. Like there are so many fun things that I could be doing, but I'm not "allowed" to do them. I can only imagine that for the little kid on the leash, life is very similar. He looks around at all the things he could be doing- but the leash is just so tight! I have made 1,000 excuses for why I can get around the rules and laws that God put in place for us. I have spent my time running from the leash. This is probably equivalent to when the child that is on the leash is trying his hardest to get out of it – with no avail. Eventually, you watch the kid get so worn out he gives up. Yeah, after just a meer week, I am the same way (longer than a week- probably a wreck). I run and run and run, and I am worn out. I mean physically, emotionally, and most assuredly spiritually- WORN OUT.
I found the best verse to sum up why my thought process was so out of wack when I would think that way.
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
FREEDOM!!!! I mean, can I get an Amen?
Like hello! On my sinful, Kelsea-filled days, I need someone to slap me in the face with this verse. Just like the child that gives up on outrunning the leash and walks back to his parent. I stopped trying to outrun my Faith. It wasn't (nor will it ever be) holding me back from anything that God intends me to do. Plus, let's be real here- when the Big Guy has you, He won't let go. How awesome is that! So now, instead of running away from God, I run right beside him. And instead of being farther from Him when I fall, I'm next to Him. I get picked right up. The dirty veil is lifted from my face, and God wants to love me and use me for His great purposes. I mean He says "Hey! Glorify me! You don't even have to do it alone, I will help you through it." God does not give us rules and laws to hold us back from anything! He gives them to us to keep us from sin that wears us out and makes us feel all dusty and grimey! He's the best.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
