Recently I was
vacationing in the Adirondacks with some friends. We were staying in a cottage
right on the edge of a large lake. We had kayaks, a canoe and floating tubes to
spend our time there relaxing and having fun in and on the water. At least
that’s what our plans were. As it turned out, we had periods of rain most every
day and it was chilly for that time of year. So our best made plans didn’t quite turn out
the way we had hoped. Reading and playing games filled our time and on occasion
we would go for a quick paddle when the sun peaked out. I was the only one who
had been to this particular place before and on previous occasions I went out
on a pontoon boat, and got to see all of the lake with its extraordinary beauty.
I noticed on this trip with my friends, they weren’t as excited to go exploring
on the water because they were concerned about the weather or the water getting
rough. Now I was the only one who knew how beautiful it was to get out past
the cove where our cottage was located and break out into the vastness of the
lake. They were content to stay near the cove. I will be the first to admit
that I am not the world’s greatest adventurer, I am more timid by nature, but I
was chomping at the bit to go out further, because I knew what was on the other
side. Do you see where I am going with this? Being there that weekend, I had an
epiphany about breakthrough. Our human nature draws us to the familiar, the
comfortable, and the known. It’s hard for us to step out into uncharted waters.
We could be so close to a beautiful place but stay stuck in what feels safe.
Why? Because we haven’t experienced what is on the other side. Once you’ve
gotten a taste of being out in the open spaces of a beautiful lake it’s hard to
stay in a sheltered cove, and once you’ve gotten a taste of freedom, you aren’t
content with the confining walls of protection you have built around yourself. Freedom
in Christ is right there for the taking, we just need to step into it. Fear,
intimidation, shame, hurt, pride and unforgiveness etc, are the strongholds that keep
us in a self-made, protective prison. It’s all we know so it feels familiar and
comfortable. We aren’t able to experience the beauty of unencumbered movement
until the shackles are off our feet.
Are you moving forward, paddling into the lake or are you
stuck by the shoreline, frozen by fear or disappointment? Would you like to go with me on a paddle to the middle of the lake and
experience the beauty? Would you like to know what freedom in Christ feels
like? Do you truly desire to be free?
2 Corintians3:17 "Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the
Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom."
John 8:36 "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free
indeed."
Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of
slavery."
Ephesians 3:12 "In Him and through faith in him we may
approach God with freedom and confidence."
Pray this prayer with me; Oh Lord, you know all the
intricate details of our hearts. You know the times we have been hurt or felt
unprotected. You were with us every step of the way even when we felt so alone.
Holy Spirit, come and minister to our hearts and heal the places where we have
been wounded. Help us to forgive those who have hurt us or spoken badly about
us. Help us to step into the deep water of healing so we are able to row out
into the unknown and float in your love and care for us. Help us to be assured
that you will provide all we need for the adventure ahead.
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