Here it is! A sparkly new year. In the heart of even the coldest winter, I feel warmed and renewed by the possibilities stretching before me. In 2011 (Two thousand eleven? Twenty-eleven?) I can be a more patient mom, a more nurturing wife, a more creative and motivated teacher to my children, a better cook, a more consistent writer, and on and on and on.
I am not overwhelmed by these opportunities, even though I know that any iron-clad resolutions would very possibly tarnish by
FREE
Throughout my thirties I have been aware of patterns of imprisonment in my life. There are chains that bind me, fences that keep me from going where I need to be, history that cripples me and holds me in its grasp.
Choosing the verb "free" is an acknowledgement that in order to allow God to remove my chains, I need to be a willing participant in releasing my grip on past thought patterns, fears, and controlling tendencies. I can't go forward much more in my life unless I am intentional about pursuing freedom. Jesus said that it is for freedom that He set us free. I am not taking full advantage of that freedom, which, in a way, is simply a way of being ungrateful for the gifts that come with the freedom He bought.
I want the Lord to help free me from perfectionism, the need for control, and unforgiveness of self.
I want to pursue freedom from approval from others, and from the fear of being rejected in social situations.
I want to be freed from the patterns of mental self-violence and guilt that run so deep.
I want to be freed to love others who are different than me, and freed from setting up boundaries and fences to keep things safe and comfortable.
I am a captive. He came to set me free.
Happy New Year, friends.
6 of you say...:
Happy New Year my friend! Praying you find the Freedom in Christ that has been destined for you.
Interesting choice of words, Christine. I would have never thought of it, but can see how great it would be to focus on. Hmm . . . you've given me something else to think about today.
Free. What a great word to focus on! It covers perspective of so many things in a given day. And to think God wants us to experience freedom through Him in every one of those things!
As I was reading this I was reminded of the song "I Am Free" by Ross Parsley. A favorite around here!
A wonderful thing to apsire too this year.
I stumbled on your blog and have been keeping up with it for awhile now. I have learned a lot from your posts and have been inspired. Thank you for writing!
This post is very inspiring!! I have also chose to begin this year with a theme or word. I'd love for you to visit my blog. Thanks for sharing from the heart!
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