Freedom

"If you're tired and thirsty, there is freedom. Give your all to Jesus, there is freedom. Freedom reigns in this place, showers of mercy and grace, falling on every face, there is freedom."

Freedom Reigns- Jesus Culture

A couple weeks ago I went on a weekend retreat with the women from The Fathers House. I really wasn't looking forward to this retreat. I waited last minute to prepare for it and spend time seeking the Lord. I was just feeling tired and confused. The morning I left didn't go well as usual when trying to leave for a retreat (Satan loves throwing stuff at us) but I felt the peace of God when we were finally on the freeway leaving Eugene.

The first night was just fun! We had worship time, played games and laughed so hard we cried! The second day was the beginning of a new freedom.

We did what seemed to be a silly all day exercise on mapping out our lives. I wasn't really sure what the reason for the exercise was but as I began the process the Lord started speaking. I had all these colored sticky notes of good and bad names and events in my life. It was amazing to see how God brought me through each season in my life!

At the end of the night we had a chance to share our testimonies. I didn't plan on sharing for fear of judgement, but of course the Lord started speaking and I knew it was Him because it wasn't my idea:) He wanted me to share the deepest darkest secret of my past that most people know nothing about. I was so nervous but the word freedom kept coming to mind.

I shared what the Lord asked me to and while speaking I could feel this weight of fear, anxiety, judgement and shame literally lift off of me. I felt real freedom.

I now know why the Lord wanted me to share that specific part of my testimony. It wasn't about me or anyone else, it was about Him. He wanted the glory and he wanted to give me a new freedom.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
Galatians 5:1