Recently, I returned from a week-long trip to Orlando. It was late at night and I was exhausted, but it was during that time that God revealed Himself in a new way to me.
I arrived home from my flight and was physically and mentally worn out from the week's meetings. I truly just wanted to "crash" into bed and fall asleep. Before heading to bed, I made my night rounds to verify that the house was locked and all my children were accounted for and safely in bed asleep. (I love watching my kids sleep--that's when they're the angels I believe they always are.)
After checking on my two oldest, I entered the bedroom of my two youngest. To my surprise they were still awake lying on the floor waiting for Dad to come home. Although I preferred them to be asleep given the time of night, I was honestly thrilled they were still awake since I hadn't seen them in a few days.
As their eyes caught mine, they came running into my arms. We sat on the floor together and I wrapped my arms around their little bodies as they proceeded to tell me of the day's activities-riding scooters, swimming and playing the Nintendo Wii. (Ah, the simple pleasures of life!)
One of my boys dosed off but the youngest wasn't even close to sleep. I asked him to try to sleep and with a smile beaming from ear to ear, he said he knew a dance that would help him get rid of excess energy in order to nod off for the night. He then asked his weary father for permission to get out of bed and perform his new energy-reducing dance. I said yes and he proceeded to dance, smile beaming, arms and legs flailing, demonstrating to his father the beauty of being a kid.
My son was not concerned about life's burdens and challenges. Rather, he simply enjoyed the moment with his dad, dancing away the day and that was enough. He was alive, his dad admired his dance and everything else faded into the background. What a picture of how our Heavenly Father wants us to find joy, peace, contentment and hope in His presence. It is simply enough to be still in His arms and know that He is God.
Galatians 5:1 states, "It is for freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." I can't help but think that far too often I live in bondage to my own poor choices rather than live in the freedom that Christ freely offers. At times I am distracted by the concerns, issues and challenges of life. For instance, although I've been in ministry for over 23 years and have yet to see God be anything less than completely trustworthy and faithful, I still get distracted when my financial support isn't at the level at which it needs to be. I'd like to think I embrace the unknown with confidence and liberty but the unknown often becomes a barrier to living in Christ's true freedom. Often, I get caught in the bondage of being busy for Him by trying to give my all to AIA but then miss out on the joy and freedom of my life in Christ.
My son reminded me of David dancing before the Lord (2 Samuel 6:14), visually demonstrating to me how God desires us to live freely with unhindered enjoyment of Him who delights in us. Jesus has conquered death and we are called to live in freedom. We are to be free of worries, distraction and sin as we focus on God's daily provision and blessing in our lives.
It is then that I can start living as my son reminded me--truly knowing and experiencing freedom.
Living in Christ's freedom,
Bill
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