A life of bondage can play strange tricks on the mind and heart, just ask an elephant who knows.
Recently while visiting the zoo with my family I was curious to why an elephant tied to a small stake in the ground did not yank it up and be on its way. The animal's handler explained that baby elephants tied to similar stakes learn they can't break free. As elephants grow older and stronger, they don't test the stake again--thereby remaining trapped by what should be an obsolete restraint.There are many of us who have escaped in some dramatic ways the bondage of legalism, abuse and addiction yet still stay trapped and chained to our captors when God has set us marvelously free.
Jesus has given us wings to fly- our wings names?
Mercy and Grace.
These beautiful gifts are meant to make us fly but to begin the process of flight we must recognize that the chains that once held us, no longer have any power over us.
What Jesus has made free is free indeed.
It's time to test the restraints- walk out onto the water- dare to claim by faith the victory that is yours and purchased by Christ.
Your freedom was purchased on Calvary- the fear that tyrants and devils instill in you are not true- God has promised us a sound mind, He casts out fear.
Those voices that tell you there is no hope, lie. They lie!
Beloved one- It's time to fly.
The wings of grace and mercy will take you above all fear, all condemnation and all judgement.
Claim Truth.
-Walk in Love-
Fly in Grace and Mercy
Soar in the freedom of Christ
Beloved one- it seems we have so much in common. It seems as if just when we begin the journey to freedom we realize how much this journey has truly just begun. There are so many lies to shed, so much Truth to learn. Where are you on your journey?
I'd love to hear your voice.
18 comments:
I am still in the process of relearning a LOT of things. What a blessing to be part of a church that is cross-centered and helping to re-program me throught the Word.
Great post--keep sharing your journey with your world.
Matthew Richards
Matthew,
I hear you- I wrote this because the farther along this journey I go the more I realize how much I have to learn- bondage was strangely comfortable- this journey with Jesus is so new and so desperate- not at all comfortable..
Thanks for sharing, it means a lot!
I am recovering, and I can see it and feel it. The heavy burden of legalism has betrayed itself, and I think I can see its complete destruction coming. I no longer serve a sadistic god. I serve the God who loves his creation, and feels pity when we fall; he lifts us up, and sets our feet on steady ground. I am learning to hear my Beloved's voice, and his words of encouragement, and comfort.
There is still work to do, but I have hope. Thank you, Julie, dear, for being his hands and mouth.
SO exciting Susan- hope is a beautiful word and I hear it in your comment! I love you!
I am reminded of my son when he was learning to ride a bike. He rode it so rough that the training wheel bars were bent and they hardly ever touched the ground.
I convinced him he knew how to ride, and asked him if he would let me take off the training wheels. He was scared but let me do it. I tear up remembering the joy of him taking off riding, whooping and hollering. He could DO it!!
So I wonder if part of the new walk free from legalism is not just needing to learn new tools or skills. His Truth is already written on your heart. The fear that keeps the training wheels on is because of past skinned knees. But you have all you need to take them off and ride like the wind!
Whooping and hollering the whole way :-)
Oh my word Bob- what a powerful analogy!.. and YES maybe it IS learning new tools and skills! Oh, and those past skinned knees definitely keep us from venturing out of safety. Some of us have been wounded quite deeply and find that the devil we know is safer and more comfortable then then the freedom that seems like an impossible thing.
Hmmm, I was incredibly ambiguous in that sentence.
When I said "not just needing to learn new tools", I was trying to say, what if you already have all the tools you need since it is written on your heart. All that is left then is the need to trust. And with past hurts still stinging, trust can be so very difficult to summon sometimes.
i just feel so incredibly stuck today.
Hi Julie!
Nice to see a blog from you again! Miss seeing you here.
I remember leaving my legalism and having "What if???" questions in the back of my mind. "What if they (legalistic religion) were right? What if God was angry with me?"
It also made me fearful of taking a stand against the legalism of my former religion. I lived fearful of playing Christian Contemporary Music fearing that "they" might catch me, as well as other things.
I was like the story of the prisoners of war set free. They were free to go but ended up remaining in a bar free prison because they grew accustomed to it. Others feared leaving that it might be a trick, and that they would be shot dead for leaving.
The above described me for a while. I might have spoke of my break from legalism, but my heart remained behind bars that simply were not there.
It took me a little while, but I eventually developed eagles wings and flew away, and now enjoy the freedom I have in Christ!
Lord bless you Julie,
Dave
Just recently God has shown me that I have believed the lies that I am unloved, unaccepted, uncared for...and I can't love my 3 boys, my husband, my friends, the way He wants me to, until I BELIEVE i am LOVED by Him! It's so hard to trust, to take those wings and soar...but I must take courage....
Hi, Julie. I'm a subscriber and have followed your blog for over a year now. I also follow Dave N's pure unadulterated grace blog. I still struggle with who i am in Christ. I still view and define myself by my past and present sins and failures. At times God's love and grace seem too good to be true. I appreciate what you have gone thru and are willing to share and minister to myself and others. It's very encouraging. Thanks, Julie. Kim.
Dear Anonymous-
I hear your cry, I hear that you feel stuck and I want you to know I said a prayer for you today. I pray you feel and see His hand of love and kindness in your life. Hugs to you beloved friend.
Mary Beth-
Yea!! So exciting! There is nothing quite like telling those lies to take a hike and embracing His love for you! Its so true- how can we deeply and truly love those around us if we have not received His love in our own lives?
Kim-
This journey we are on to discovering His love and grace for us is just that- a journey. Sweet friend, I don't think we ever fully arrive at truly comprehending who we are in Christ- it is a daily battle to dispel the lies that hold us captive. You get grace beautiful and beloved one. Just know there is hope- you have victory, just grasp it one day at a time. You are loved!
Hi Dave!
I always love your illustrations and sharing here! The prisoner of war story hits it on the head exactly. People think that when we walk away most of the struggles are behind us- but truly the greatest battle is realizing we are truly free and walking in the truth of that. So glad you stopped by and shared your voice. I appreciate you!
Great to read a post from my favourite blogger again- it's been a while- you have been busy !1
God Bless you as you continue to encourage people to break free from the yolk of oppression! You have such a very special ministry here, Julie.
God said to me a verse from Jeremiah: Daughter of Zion, I have freed you from slavery. SEE TO IT THAT YOU DON'T ALLOW yourself to be
enslaved again.
That has helped me a lot to stay away from the snare of the fowler!
Hey Jules! Good to hear from you! You know my story. I am glad that I walk in freedom and not in bondage. While my legalism was not as strong as yours and probably most of your readers, or the same kind, legalism is legalism no matter how you shake it. The law brings death; grace brings life. Love hearing from you.
Mary!!
SOO good to hear from you! Thank you for the powerful verse- I used it on my broadcast this morning. I love you dearly! You are a true gem!
Bill- It has been TOO long! Thanks for stopping by friend! I hate that life is so busy and I can't visit everyone as much as I did- I appreciate deeply each of you!
While I wasnt raised in legalism, it still tries to stake me down. WHat others have done, the constraints of the evil one, and the rules of life try to keep me staked to just sit down and be quiet.
Or will I follow God?
thanks so much for sharing! it really helps knowing others are on the same journey and this has helped me to allow god to love me a little bit more in amidst the accusations and judgement in my mind!
David- thank you for taking the time to comment- your words always encourage and provoke me to thought.
Tracy- I don't think we've met- welcome to Journey to Beloved. I am SO glad you are here! Much love to you new friend!- Julie
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