I honestly never thought I’d be using this blog again. But here we are…
Over the past 2 years of being home from the World Race the Lord has placed a deep desire in my heart to see those found in the bondage of slavery set free. At first it was most specifically a passion for those caught in the thrall of sex and labor trafficking. I’ve spent countless hours soaking in information found in books and documentaries, visiting meetings of coalitions fighting this tragedy and volunteering in safe homes. My heart is broken beyond repair for these beautiful people who’ve had their humanity stripped away and have been told that they are nothing more than an object to be used for another’s personal gain. Unlike other heart breaks that I’ve experienced in the past, I don’t want it to be fixed. I want the brokenness I feel inside for those hurting to continue to compel me forward and to action.
While my passion is still very specifically for those bound by the chains of modern day slavery, the Lord has widened my scope a little in order to see that there are so many more of us seeking freedom but we’re not sure where to find it. Spiritual slavery comes in all shapes and sizes. I’ve experienced the freedom that comes only from Christ and it is my responsibility to share that with others.
A little more than 3 years ago I was at training camp for the World Race. During one of our times of worship the speaker was sharing about the importance of giving things over to God. He prompted us to ask Holy Spirit to show us the moments in our life that maybe a hurt began or we made a mistake and to show us it being redeemed. In that moment Jesus gave me a picture: My Heavenly Father was waiting for me with arms wide open, I ran to Him and couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. For the next several minutes I just rested in His arms, fully loved and fully free. I’d never experienced His love in that way before. Most of my life was spent trying to figure out what I could do to be better so that He could love me. The concept of unconditional love wasn’t fathomable so the thought that the Creator of the Universe could actually care so deeply, intentionally and specifically for me wasn’t something that I could even see as possible. This was a lesson the Lord would continue to teach me in the years to come in my quiet times with Him, through my teammates and the people I would come into contact with through out my year on the World Race and in the 2 years after.
I myself have never been a physical slave. But in a way I was a slave to many other things. I have been a slave to fear. Fear of inadequacy and a fear of being fully known. I was enslaved by the lies of the enemy. I’d developed coping mechanisms in order to hold on to those chains that had me so heavily ensnared. Letting go would have meant losing control, but what I didn’t realize is that in holding onto those chains, I was unknowingly giving them the authority to grow in number and strength.
The road to freedom is messy and unattractive. Letting go is hard. Learning that there is nothing in my strength that could ever be done to earn the love of my Father was a process and wasn’t something that I came to accept over night. When things get messy and we feel out of control it can seem easier to turn back to our old ways. But friend, if you are willing to press in, this life of freedom is so much sweeter than anything I’ve ever tasted. My Father is in the business of redeeming that which seems unredeemable. What if we as believers began to live our lives as free people letting every aspect of our lives flow from the knowledge that we are fully known and fully loved by Abba Father. And in everything we do freely extending that freedom to those around us; No longer slaves to fear because His perfect love has casts out all fear.
In January I get the opportunity to lead and walk in freedom with a new group of World Racers. I will be launching this time as an Alumni Squad Leader, meaning that I get the opportunity to do life with a group of Kingdom minded people; pouring into them as they seek a Kingdom centered life and pouring with them into the ministries the Lord leads us to. I need your prayers. This role I’m stepping into I believe to be a great responsibility, but also a great privilege. Right now I am praying specifically for the Squad as we prepare for Training Camp in October that the Lord would begin to soften hearts and that each person would be able to come open handed, with their only expectation being that God is going to move in their hearts and lives. In order to launch with my Squad I am needing to raise $3,500 to cover my 5 months on the field. From there I will have the potential to join my squad 2 more times for debriefs for which I will need to raise another $3,000. If you feel lead to donate please do so by clicking the “Support Me!” Link to your left.
Thank you to those who actually took the time to read this all the way through. I am praying as I finish typing that in some way this resonated with you and that if you haven’t already you would begin to open yourself up to the redemptive power of our Abba Father.
All my love,
Rachel
