Freedom!

This picture has a story behind it, as many pictures do.  It was a gorgeous, crisp morning in the Pacific NW and I was meeting my friend Dana for a photo session at a local park.  At one point Dana told me to go stand up on a nearby hillside.  The sun poured out its warmth down on me, I was surrounded by blue skies and I was overtaken by the beautiful scenery in front of me.  I lifted my hands toward Heaven in that moment and this photo was captured.   This past year I walked through a difficult journey full of pain, heartache, tears, anger, frustration, and sorrow.  So, when I first laid eyes on this photo, and saw what Dana had titled it, I was instantly brought to tears.  This photo captured what I finally felt inwardly....it's titled "Freedom".   

Courtesy of Google Image

Sometimes life throws unexpected twists our way.  Sometimes things don't turn out like you hoped.   Sometimes our flesh wins over our spirits.  Sometimes we don't get answers to our "Whys".  Sometimes what we say we believe in is put to the test.  Sometimes there is disunity.  Sometimes hurt & pain rocks us to the core.  Sometimes circumstances occur that are out of our control.  Sometimes words crush us.  Sometimes bondage, bitterness, and brokenness enslave us.

But those "sometimes" situations need to always bring us humbly to our knees, with arms outstretched in total surrender, before the One True God.  He is the only one who can heal the brokenhearted, strengthen the weary, pour out grace & mercy, exchange our sorrow for joy. bring hope to the hopeless, and bring freedom to the captives!

Courtesy of Google Image

Courtesy of Google Image

  

Freedom is never free.  Christ died on the cross to purchase my freedom.  Freedom from sin, freedom from unforgiveness, freedom from pride, freedom from hopelessness, and freedom to live my life to the fullest!  His death was the greatest act of Love...EVER!  And His resurrection reveals that there is power in the name of Jesus.  Power to set us free.  What area of your life do you need Freedom in?  Jesus is the only one who can break those chains of bondage. 

Courtesy of Google Image

I encourage you to Cry out to God! Cry out for that freedom you desperately need!  Lay everything at the cross. Lay down your pride, your pain, your bitterness, your anger, your hurt, your unforgiveness, your self-righteousness, your regrets, and your sorrow.  Lay it all down. It's so worth it! 

P.S. - Walking out the Freedom I know I have in Christ is something I have to be intentional about believing & speaking out every day.  I am a work in progress.  I am human.  I take 2 steps forward and 1 step back at times.  But I keep running to Jesus because He is my everything!