Running Toward Freedom

Happy Fall Ya'll

I love this time of year! Change is in the air. It's when the beaches finally clear out as vacationers go back home and kids go back to school. It's that time of year where the oceans and weather of Southern Cal are simultaneously their warmest and the sun starts to hit the earth from a different angle, giving it a special glow. It's when suddenly all things turn pumpkin; coffee, ice cream, muffins, and breads, giving us all the feels. It's when we move those chunky sweaters and hoodies to the forefront of our closet in eagerness to cuddle up in their warmth. 

Although I am usually one who grieves the end of Summer and grips her tight with all my might to stay and linger as long as possible, I am embracing the shift of season a little early this year. Well, early for me which is right on time, haha. I guess it's only fitting seeing that it's the oddest year of my life, of all of our lives no doubt. Why wouldn't this be different too? Everything else this year has been. 

With a new season upon us, and our country, and our world for that matter, seemingly in upheaval, isn't it a perfect and primed time for a change of direction? To recalibrate what we are living for? For what we are filling our days with? As our country watches and waits to see what the future holds, what's going to become of life as we know it, don't you just have a longing to rise above it all? To pull yourself out of this swirling vortex that we somehow seemed to have been pulled into unwantedly? Are we all longing for freedom from it all, from life as we currently know it? Anyone out there feeling that? Can I get an "amen sista!"

Freedom is an age old pursuit, one that people throughout history have longed for, fought for, and sometimes died for. Freedom in this world can be elusive, and once attained it's something we must protect and fight to keep. And It seems that there is always a threat looming about where freedom resides, to steal her away. Why is that and what can we do to keep her, treasure her, and run free in her beauty?

Although the climate in our country is intense these days and things seem confusing with great divide among many of its citizens; and though we may find ourselves in a place where we have to take a stand for what is right. to fight for our rights and for the rights of others; there is a freedom offered to all that no man, no circumstance, can steal, rob or destroy. Unlike the physical freedoms we enjoy and often times lose in this world, there is a freedom that dwells deep within the heart and spirit of a person and it comes from one source and one source only, that is the Lord Jesus Christ. When the world around us and when our own personal lives are in disarray, the freedom that we can have in Christ helps us rise above our circumstances. Like a tornado whirling about us, God is able and faithful to pull us above the vortex when we run after His commands, when we run to Him. That's where we find true peace, joy and freedom even in the most dire circumstances. We find it in Him.

In Psalm 119:32, the psalmist says, "I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free." What he speaks of here is not just keeping God's commands, he is actually saying I will quicken myself and do it. I will run after you with briskness and joy with cheerful readiness. That he will devote all his energies of his life to running after His commands, because God has set his heart free. When we run after God He sets our hearts free. And this is true freedom. It's the freedom our hearts long for, it's where peace and joy reside. This is where I want to reside! This is where I want to be! Running to God, running after Him with all I've got, with a heart of gratitude and love. I want to give Him my all. I want to give Him my everything.

So, who's with me? Who's ready and eager to kick it into gear? To run in the beautiful freedom that God offers us day by day, minute by minute? The blessings that flow from running in His freedom are so far reaching and go beyond our wildest dreams. There is much vying for our undivided attention, and there are many things we can fret over, but God has so much more for us if we will run to Him. We need not fear and can have joy and a free heart no matter the circumstances that surround us. I hope and pray you'll join me as we pursue God in a deeper way, seeking after Him and what He has for us in this season of our lives. 

Cheers to you friends. I pray you experience God's freedom, His peace, and His great love that He has for you. Here's to adventures with Him and with each other.

Love you guys!

Lisa


​"But none of these things move me, nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."   Acts 20:24