Freedom. A word I have thought about a lot over this past week leading up to Remembrance Day. It brings with it sacrifice and implies blood shed. Life given for a cause and taken at a cost. Hearts and homes fractured so hope could be renewed. Selfless serving. Men and women. Heroes who walked into battle to bring a gift that generations yet to come are yet to unwrap. Do we appreciate and value the freedom we have received?
Long before this day of reflection ever came to be, there was another remembrance day. A day when freedom was secured through the shedding of the blood of One. A battle was fought and a life was given…not taken. Jesus death was not the result of man, but of love. A love so unfathomable that it will never be comprehended, but it can be received and accepted.
His ammunition was truth. His opponent, the father of lies. The battle raged, but victory was determined before it began. Rising as King and Conqueror, Jesus paid the price for our freedom. Through the agonizing separation from His Father as our sins were cast upon Him, Jesus experienced something we will never have to endure. Yet, have we embraced that freedom?
Too often I am like that moth. I’m beating my wings against the prison walls that hold me captive. If I would just turn around and embrace Him. God’s Word tells me that it is for freedom that He has set me free. (Galatians 5:1) Has set me free. Past tense. The work has been completed. Any stronghold that binds me is my choice, for it is not necessary. Freedom is my portion and God’s plan. May my life not nullify all that Christ has accomplished so I can soar to new heights with Him.
37 comments:
Beautifully said, Joy..reminds me of Lauralee's post of the God's flame in us burning away the garbage and igniting a new life for Him.
I commented that God put my 'stink' and the sin stink of all mankind, past, present and future on Jesus..it stank so bad, He had to turn His back because of His Holiness...a perfect once-for-all act of love...yet so many times I take back that cloak of stink with Satan's help, insulting Him by forgetting that His Presence in me has already qualified me to enter the Holy of Holies...
Loved this... it was beautiful... yes we are free, may we see and walk in that freedom...
Julie
Thanks for sharing. I love the picture it represents. I feel like that moth at times too.
I can see where I have a lot in common with that moth! I so many times unnecessarily "beat my wings to pieces" trying to God's will my way instead of His way!
Thank you!
Marilyn
What an incredible image this day! I'll never look at a moth in the same way. How often have I share the same tenacity toward confinement rather than walking in the freedom that is mine as daughter to the King!
Hopefully, this has lit a bit of a spark within you to get back to the pen. Your words were never meant to shove in the drawer of confinement, friend.
Love u~elaine
Wow Joy what a beautiful picture you paint!
Joy, Thank you for visiting my blog and your sweet comments. I needed to hear them today. He's a bit hidden currently... Your words encouraged me!
Hugs,
Julie
I am SO glad I am reading this today! It is my choice to either "beat my wings" not going anywhere...or to accept the freedom He has offered me and fly towards Him.
Love to you my friend!!
Joy,
I am so thankful for you and your writing skills. God uses you mightily in my life.
Love,
Yolanda
I just met you at Renee's blog so thought I would come visiting. Great story - about the moth. I've had birds who wanted desperately to get into my house. From now on I will remember the freedom story whenever I find a foreign animal trying to move inot my house!
Joy,
Oh it is so good to see your writing again. I have missed you! And oh, your writing. God has given you such a gift with words, and images. This one is going to stick with me for sure!
"Any stronghold that binds me is my choice, for it is not necessary."
I can't agree more. I have found yet another stronghold that God was working on me about all week. I kept stiff-arming Him (hard to do that with God) and finally gave in... i wrote about it recently... and yes, that stronghold isn't necessary. There is some stuff to work through still, but He is working through it with me... and I have found so much freedom, I don't want to stay stuck in any area... no matter how small.
God bless you my dear friend...
Love,
Heather
Just came from Marilyn's site to visit for the first time. Your writing is so real and true. We have been set free. Past tense.
I will visit again. Enjoyed your post.
Great insight. Aren't we so like that moth?
Thanks for the reminder that I have been set free.
Oh Joy, this is a poignant post and a profound truth. Freedom is nearly always a choice.
I am so grateful for our freedoms - those won by soldiers who have served and continue to serve our countries(including my own son!) and the freedoms won for us at Calvary.
May the Lord bring us into greater freedom in the coming year.
Blessings to you!
You have no idea how much I needed to hear these words and picture the visual of the moth in my mind. True words bring such freedom.
Thanks for stopping by and wishing us a Happy 50th anniversary. So sweet of you to leave a comment.
It's been a while since I've stopped by. Now I'm wondering why!
What an incredible image of the way we needlessly trap ourselves in our narrow view, when freedom's offering is but a wing's flutter away.
Thank you, friend. Thank you.
Blessings,
Melinda
What a great analogy with the moth! And oh how true it is that we forget our freedom and try to be in places that are not free at all. Thanks for the wonderful reminder.
Come over and visit me at The Point and register for the giveaway if you haven't already!!
Leah
Joy~ I love this post! It illustrates me so well! Thank you for your beautiful words. I intend to come back to this one. I might print it out. I need to be reminded.
Thank you for your dear, precious words you posted on my blog yesterday. How dear you are. I continue to give Him thanks for the delight you are to me!
I love you, Joy!
Cheri
Freedom is a beautiful thing....In Him!! Loved this!
Joy,
Thanks for sharing your precious words of encouragement. I love the word picture. You never cease to amaze me with your words of wisdom from the word.
Let meknow if you try the "easy" recipes
Zoe
Hello Joy, I read your prayer request on Lysa's blog today. I am praying for you, your husband and his company.
Hello Joy, thank you for journey this big question challenge journey with me. I know God adores His daughters and He wants us bringing all of everything we have to Him...because He has such great things for us...Praying for you and with you. I love you my friend!
Beautiful post, Joy! The words are beautifully written, but what really makes it is how His heart is bursting forth in what you share! His Truth!
You have refreshed and encouraged this sister! :)
Thank you! God bless you!
Wow! What a powerful parable! I see myself in that moth, too.
"Any stronghold that binds me is my choice, for it is not necessary. Freedom is my portion and God’s plan."
Wow, did I need to be reminded of this today. Thank you.
Blessings to you,
Tracy
Joy, I love how you can take a moth and make a great lesson from it.
I'm thankful we live in Countries with many freedoms to enjoy. I know they came at a personal cost of so many.
But the freedom in Christ is the most precious.
The Bible is our textbook to teach us how to enjoy these freedoms.
how very true! great illustration!
hope you had a beautiful thanksgiving!
blessings to you~
Thank you for praying for me while I go through my chemo treatments.
Cindy
Thank you for yor beautiful post. My son is a marine and my husband's father died in WWII. Thank you for the reminder that Christ fought and won the battle first.
andrea
http://andrealuvsallgodscreatures.blogspot.com
Thank you...this time of year should be a time of celebration for that which God gave us, His Glorious Son, Jesus Christ! I am leaning on God this season to not spin my wheels, getting frazzled with all the wrappings of this Christmas holiday season still undone, to spend all my down time seeking truth and lessons in God's love for us! You dish it out well! Peace to you! Beautifully written...thankful I popped in here for a reminder before I begin the tasks at hand on this day off from work.
Joy,
This is a beautiful post and your blog is a JOY to visit!
Bless You!
Pat
I so feel like this moth right now...thank you for posting this.
In His Graces~Pamela
Hi, Joy! How are you?
Thanks for visiting and your comment. And YES...getting to She Speaks flying in 2007 was a huge step of faith for me! I knew God wanted me to go, and He brought a friend to go wtih me, who was equally blessed if not more. He is good!
I don't like flying, but will do it when I have to. It really causes me to trust Him more, so that is good!
I hope your American Thanksgiving - Canada Style was wonderful!
This is beautiful Joy. I believe there are many times in my life I have beat myself nearly to death trying to get someplace God never intended me to be.
This has been a season of turning around for me and I am amazed at what I see before me. How could I have thought where I was trying to get could be better than where God wants me.
I love this post. I'm thankful I am back to blogging and came by to read.
Joy, this is so beautifully written. And, Praise His Name, the work has been completed!
Praying I will embrace Him fully,
Lora
Joy,
Enjoyed your blog today. Sometimes I think I allow the cares of this world to steal my freedom. True freedom is when we leave this planet to go and be with Our Love forever. If only we could continually have that eternal perspective, the cares of this earth would seem so small.
Thinking of you today,
Lynn
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