For the past few weeks, this question has been going around and around in my brain. For a while, everything was going along rather smoothly. Brad’s job was going well, the kids were enjoying their summer vacation, and I was actually writing. (Somewhat consistently, even.)
Then, BOOM.
Over the past five days, I wrote a series of posts on Freedom. It seemed pretty appropriate as the United States was celebrating its Independence Day. And, as I was going over all of the Freedoms given to us from God, I was struck at how much there is for us to be thankful for.
As a recap, I thought I would go back and share a quick summary of each post and the verses that have stayed with me throughout the week. Be sure to click on the links after the verses to read the entire post!
(If you missed the previous posts from my Freedom Series, be sure to go back and catch up! To read, Freedom from Burdens, click here. For Freedom from Sin and Death click here. To read, Freedom from Worldly Priorities, click here. And, for Freedom from Guilt and Shame, click here.)
A couple of weeks ago, I went in for a physical. I had been putting it off for a while, so I was overdue for a few things. As my doctor started to list off all the tests she recommended, I started to get a bit panicky… It wasn’t that I didn’t know what she was talking about, or what it all meant, it was just the sheer number of tests that made my pulse go a little bit faster as the appointment went on…
So, I had all my blood tests, and some other things done, and all the results kept coming back great!
But, then I got a call from radiology.
(If you missed the previous posts from my Freedom Series, be sure to go back and catch up! To read, Freedom from Burdens, click here. For Freedom from Sin and Death click here. And, for Freedom from Worldly Priorities, click here.)
When Brad and I were first studying the Bible, one of my biggest struggles was understanding how God could give me Freedom from my Guilt and Shame. I had a really hard time wrapping my brain around how He could find me worthy of His grace and forgiveness.
When I started thinking about this series, one of the freedoms that stood out to me first was the Freedom from Sin and Death. (If you missed yesterday’s post on Freedom from Burden, be sure to check it out, here…) Prior to becoming a Disciple, I had a general idea of what that meant. But, after studying more and digging deeper into the Bible, I realized I knew very little. And, I definitely was not thanking God enough for the amazing gift He gave to us…
Beginning in Sunday School, we are taught about Heaven, and the wonderful place it is. We are taught that Jesus came to earth, lived a perfect life, was crucified, and died for our sins. Then, he rose from the dead and now is with his Father, God, in Heaven. And, if we believe in Him, we can go there, too.
If you asked a random person on the street, I’d bet you’d get a similar recant of the information, without a lot of differences.
But, just because we know what happened doesn’t mean we know what it really means to us.
