Freedom FROM & Freedom TO

I was soaking in some precious Truths this morning, Lord.  Truths about the Freedom You desire to bring to each and every one of us.

Freedom FROM the burden of our sins.  The hopelessly oppressive weight of our Terminal Illness that You cured, once for all time, when You went to the Cross.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  (Romans 6:23)

Freedom FROM the lies we memorized — sometimes for decades — and the destructive habits they spawned.  Habits we practiced when we were not aware of Your Love for us. When we chose to go our own way.

“May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify You through and through.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

Freedom TO reject the lie that I “must” do on my own what is impossible for me.

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  (Matthew 19:26)

Freedom TO embrace The Truth that You will do what I cannot do… if I will let You.

If I will cooperate with You.

“If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples.  Then you will know The Truth, and The Truth will set you free… So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”  (John 8:31, 36)

So it was that I pondered these notions this morning.  The priceless Gift of Freedom!  And You, Lord — the priceless Giver of that Gift!

I couldn’t help but acknowledge how each of these transforming Truths became all the more real and precious to me because of the many years they were absent from my life. Absent and seemingly unattainable.

How much sweeter is the discovery of Freedom to one who has suffered a lifetime of slavery?

How much richer is the treasure of Your Love to one who “knew” of You — and/or feared You — only from a distance?

What is the way out of such dry and deadly places?

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland… I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to My people, My chosen, the people I formed for Myself that they may proclaim My praise.”  (Isaiah 43:18-21)

You did not say You change every wilderness into a lush garden.  But You make a way in the wilderness.  A way through the wilderness

… with WATER.

Water that quenches our soul thirst, even when our circumstances haven’t changed.

Water that satisfies and sustains us when there is no oasis in sight.

Water that releases Life in what had appeared to be dead.  Like the flowers that burst into bloom when rain kisses a sun-baked desert.

Streams of water that flow.  That move through the present wilderness on their way to… Where?

Wherever You lead, Lord.  Wherever You are.

Places of LIFE.  HOPE.  LOVE.  JOY.  PEACE.  PURPOSE.

How can we know?

Because You meet us in the wilderness.  You are bigger than the wilderness.  You sustain us in the wilderness.

Because You love us.  You chose us.  You promised us.

“His divine power has given us everything we need…”  (2 Peter 1:3)

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”  (2 Corinthians 12:9)

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”  (Hebrews 10:23)

Oh, Abba!  Free me FROM anything that blinds me to Your Beauty everywhere I look… even in the wilderness!

Oh, Abba!  Free me TO trust and heal and walk and dance BY FAITH everywhere You lead… even through the wilderness!

Fixing my eyes (and mind and heart) on You,

Abba’s Girl

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