for freedom

Opening Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, that it is for freedom that you have set us free.  Help us to know what that means and what it is supposed to look like today.  Amen.

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-26

Journal: What does freedom in Christ mean to you?  How does it manifest itself in our lives?  Are you living in the full freedom that Jesus desires for you?  How can you enter into that freedom more and more each day?

Reflection: Contrary to popular opinion, freedom is not just about doing whatever you want to do.  True freedom is about being who God made us to be.  It is about loving the way God made us to love.  It is about serving the way God made us to serve.  In fact, it is not really about us at all.  Freedom unbinds us from our slavery to self.  It allows us to not be consumed and compelled by how people and things affect us, but, instead, allows us to be consumed and compelled by the God who made us.  It is the ability to live by the Spirit, instead of living by the flesh.  It is the ability to be our truest selves, rather than continually being controlled and ruled by the false self.  When we are truly free, we are the very best version of ourselves, and we enable others to be the very best version of themselves.    It is truly a taste of the Kingdom.

Prayer

Closing Prayer: Help us, O Lord, to live in the full freedom that you created us for, every minute of every day,  Amen.