Salt and Freedom

Inspiration:

"I am forgiven. I've been set free. I belong to you, you belong to me."
-"I Know Who I Am" lyrics
"Who the Son sets free, is free indeed." -"I am Free" lyrics, from John 8:36

I don't think I can say these phrases enough. Speak them out loud. Read them. Accept them. Believe them.


God has really been speaking to me through the story of Lot's wife lately. Two weeks ago I was talking to Jeff about something I have been seriously struggling with since January. Five months now, and I can't seem to let go. He asked me a simple question that I had no response for, "Heidi. Why is it that you keep looking back?" As soon as he said the words the story of Lot's wife came to mind. I pulled out my Bible and turned to Genesis.

You can read it here, if you'd like: Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed

Lot, his wife, and his two daughters were fleeing the city and their only instructions were "don't look back, and don't stop." Simple enough, right? You probably know what happens next- Lot's wife looks back. The Bible studies I've read online question her motives for looking back. Was she just curious? Did she long for the life she just left behind? God brought them out of the darkness and into the light. We need to learn to obey God's Word. He has set us free. We are free indeed!

No more looking back. Satan knows my weaknesses. He's a master deceiver. The best liar of all time. So, why do we listen? I can't answer this- I'm as guilty as anyone else. But we can at least be aware. Know that God frees us from those chains that weigh us down! After the chains are gone we need to kick them away and walk in the opposite direction without looking back. I've heard a couple illustrations of how this works. Here's one that interested me.
Pastor Marv said one Sunday: God sets us free. We are imprisoned by our sin and bondage. When he sets us free the jail cell door is flung open. It's up to us to step out of the cell. Just because the door is open doesn't mean we're out of the water. We need to walk away and live free.

So, here's to being set free and living free. No more looking back, in Jesus' name!


God, I come to you so thankful that you've set me free from all the crap that can weigh me down. You've given me hope for a new life. You've made me a new creation; what a great feeling! Help me today and every day to live it, and not just read it. Let me keep my eyes on you, so that I don't look back to where I've come from. Salt is a normal part of everyday life- when I see it I want to remember my freedom in You. You are awesome God- thanks for rocking my world! :)

Coasting Through Life

I love when God reveals things to me through mental images and similes/metaphors. This morning I was out walking and praising God for such a beautiful day; I started to chat with him about life and then He answered.

He helped me realize a consistent pattern in my life over the past year and related it to driving/coasting in a car. I love my Jesus! :)

So, here it goes:
I realized that I tend to press forward through trials and tribulations, grow and strengthen my relationship with God, and feel great about life... for about two or three weeks at a time. I see blessings upon more blessings. I like who I am when I'm close to Him. Life just works out. And then I get tired of persevering... Something in my brain tells me, "You deserve a break Heidi. You've been working hard for two weeks now. Time to chill." Last night I was reading the "A Passive Mind" chapter in Battlefield of the Mind, and (re)learned about how Satan revels in empty space. When I let go and decide to chill for a while I start to coast... this is where God spoke to me.

Q: What is the general terrain like when your coasting?

A: Typically... downhill.

(Therein lies the problem.)

When I start to coast it's only a matter of time before I'm going downhill quick.
I've been stuck in this cycle for a while... where life is good and God is great. Then little things start to change. Like, it's 9pm and I realize- wow, I didn't talk to God at all today. Or, when I realize it's Wednesday and my Bible hasn't moved since I put it down after church on Sunday. This is where the coasting comes into play.

When God isn't forefront in my mind it doesn't show right away... It's two weeks later when I don't want to pull myself out of bed, I hate the way I look, I'm short-tempered, and I can find something negative to say about a sunny day with a high of 72 degrees. Luckily, I have a Jesus that welcomes me back with open arms! Even cooler news- He's been waiting for me! Watching for me to come back!



God, help me recognize when I start to coast through life. Thank you for showing me this pattern of up and down I've been stuck in for so long. You know how to make me smile the way no one else knows how, and I love you for that! Give me strength to persevere, and to help others find that hope in you as well. :)