Freedom

As I deal with, sorry......as I have the pleasure of interacting with a teenager, I am reminded of my own teen years. It really doesn't seem like that long ago sometimes. Other times it seems like another lifetime. Alot of my memories I wish WERE from someone else's life. Again, I apologize Mom and Dad for all I put you through. Anyway, I remember that I had what seemed like an allergic reaction to rules. If someone told me - no, don't, or you shouldn't - I would do it or die trying. I didn't want my parents, teachers, youth director, boyfriend, anyone telling me what to do. Not all kids are like that. There are some goodie-two-shoes-older sisters (name withheld to protect Nan) that just always followed the rules. I have one now. He may grow out of it but I sure hope not. From the time he was a little guy, he has just obeyed. He wants to please. He doesn't want to disappoint anyone. I pray for him that he won't have issues with legalism in his future. He stresses out if he hears his dad preach on something or I share something and he isn't doing it exactly that way. But he doesn't have a problem with rules. He seems to understand that if they are put into place by someone who loves him then they are for his own good. He didn't get that attitude from me. He got it from his dad. He also got his brain from his dad. Thank you, Lord.

I on the other hand felt like rules were those lines drawn in the dirt that said "I dare you to step over this line." No need to double-dog dare me. I was stepping over the line before it had been completely drawn. I was a free-bird. Rules took away my freedom. I knew what was best and it was my way. Even as I write I am fighting the urge to break into song "I did it myyyyyy waaaaaaaay". Rules felt binding and restricting to me. God had to allow me to go through some horrible things in my college years to break me. He had to bring me to the end of myself.

Skip ahead a few years....ok, many years. I now see that it is the complete opposite. My Father loves me so much that the things He tells me to do or not do are for His glory and my best. The plan He has for my life is perfect. Doing it my way, as I was so proud to do at one time, will only lead to heartache, frustration, confusion, even depression. At one time I felt like rules took away my freedom. I read a verse today: Psalm 119:45 "I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts." That is an amazing verse. Oh, how much pain we could save ourselves if we learn this early in our Christian walk. God is not against us; He is not trying to steal our fun; He is not trying to make cookie-cutter Christians (have you met me? I am not a normal preacher's wife). He is a loving Father who knows our past, present, and future. He has a plan for us that we cannot imagine. His precepts are always for our good.

Sometimes, though, because our lives are so busy, we don't get into the Word to find His precepts. Some church-goers never open their Bibles - what they hear from their pastor on Sunday morning is plenty for them. Some go a step further and read their Sunday School lesson on Saturday night so they can join in the discussion and share "their" opinions. Some go even a step further and read a verse and a little story out of a devotional book every day - then they get someone else's opinion to add to their own. I'm sorry but that is not enough. We must get into the Word on a regular basis. That is where we learn the story of Jesus. Genesis to Revelation - the entire thing is the story of Jesus. That is how we get to know God. He speaks to us through His Word. Yes, there are some rules, precepts, decrees in there. But once You really know God, nothing will make you happy except to obey Him. You cannot find true joy in anything else until you are right with Him. Look back at Ps. 119:45 - freedom!!!!!! The really exciting thing is that I don't have to keep a single rule. What?!?! He does it all through me. I give Him complete control and He takes over.

I shared with one of my ladies' groups this past week that we do go through different seasons in our lives. When you have small children, your time in the Word probably won't be as long as someone in a different season of their life. I remember complaining to God when David was 4 and Hannah was about 18 months - "God, I don't have time for a Quiet Time. I am working full-time because Doug is in school. When I am at home, I feel like I am just running to get everything done." God said "OK, girlie, (God seems to speak my language) I will give you some time to spend with me". He got me up at 1 am every night. I spent about an hour in the Word and in prayer - some of the sweetest QTs of my life. So if you think you don't have time, first ask God if there is anything in your life that you are doing that you don't need to be doing. If He doesn't bring anything to your mind, then ask Him to make a time for you to spend with Him. He will do it.

This was a little bit of a rambling post, but I am not a writer. I am just a follower. When God shows me something and tells me to share it, I just start typing. God bless you as you get into the Word and hear from God for yourself.