Hearing that the theme this month was on FREEDOM, my thoughts went first to Jesus. As I've written in previous blogs, He is the only one who can give lasting peace, hope, and joy. He is also the only one who can give lasting FREEDOM. People and things can offer temporary peace, hope, joy and FREEDOM, but people will always disappoint, things and experiences don't last,and the search for FREEDOM and contentment continues.
That is how I lived for many years. Even though Jesus was my Savior, He really wasn't my Lord and the focus of my life. I desired FREEDOM and contentment so badly but ended up seeking for it in my family, friends, books, TV, clothes, vacations and money rather than in God and His Word. Are any of those things bad in themselves? No. But--they consumed much more of my time and my thoughts than getting to know Jesus did. What I found is that nothing this world has to offer can bring contentment and therefore FREEDOM. There will always be something else on the to-do list or some other thing or a newer or better model of something you already have that will keep you on the treadmill of "always having the right stuff in order to be valued." I was always focused on what I didn't have instead of being thankful and enjoying all the many blessings the Lord had given me.
Well, I finally got fed up with being on that treadmill and having my mind pre-occupied with things rather than loving Jesus and other people. A few years before Ty was diagnosed with cancer, I claimed two promises from God's Word. From James 4:8 "Draw close to God and He will draw close to you." and from Jeremiah 29:13 "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek me with all your heart." I ask the Lord to teach me from His Word and to FREE me from the bondage to all the things I was putting ahead of Him. Psalm 119: 27,28 describe how I was feeling. "Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders. My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your Word." The life application commentary from my Bible says: "Our lives are cluttered with rule books, but the authors never come with us to help us follow the rules. But God does. That is the uniqueness of our Bible. God not only provides the rules and guidelines but comes with us personally each day to strengthen us so that we can live according to the rules." Verses 35-37 from Psalm 119 say: "Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your Word." The commentary says: "Today people most often covet financial gain. Money represents power, influence and success. For many people, money is a god. They think about little else. True, money can buy certain comforts and offer some security. But far more valuable than wealth is obedience to God; it is a heavenly treasure rather than an earthly one (Luke 12:23). We should do what God wants, regardless of the financial implications. Make the writers prayer your own, asking God to turn your heart toward His statutes and not toward making money; it's in your own best interests in the long run." Verse 32 tells us what obedience to God brings: "I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart FREE." I have found that obedience to God not only sets my heart FREE but is the only way to achieve real happiness and joy. Our security has to be in Him alone.
God's Word continues to be my lifeline. After Ty was diagnosed with cancer and through the 2 1/2 year cancer journey as well as since the time he went to his forever home with Jesus, the promises in God's Word have kept me going. I have clung to them like never before and can testify that every one of His promises are true. For a lot of my life I read the Bible more as a duty so I could cross it off of my to-do list. Now, I read it because I want to know Jesus better and realize that the Bible is His love letter to me and it is through it that He speaks to me. His living Words to me bring the FREEDOM and contentment that I longed for for so long. His Word is true and wonderful!!! Psalm 119: 14-16 convey my thoughts so well. "I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your Word. The commentary says: Most of us chafe under rules, for we think they restrict us from doing what we want. At first glance, then, it may seem strange to hear the writer talk of rejoicing in following God's statutes as much as in great riches. But God's laws were given to FREE us to be all He wants us to be. They restrict us from doing what might cripple us and keep us from being our best. God's guidelines help us follow His path and avoid paths that lead to destruction."
Take it from one who knows how miserable it is to not be content--there is nothing like the FREEDOM and contentment that a relationship with Jesus gives. Make Him your #1 priority; don't just fit Him in occasionally. Run to Him, meditate on His Word, trust Him and rest on His promises. He is amazing and will far exceed your expectations. Remember, regardless of how you feel, the character of God never changes. Regardless of what you're going through, the truth of God's love remains the same.
Robert J. Morgan says in his book 100 Bible verses everyone should know by heart: "As we meditate on God's Word, our minds are improved. They are God conditioned. We begin thinking as He thinks, looking at life from His point of view. As we're transformed by the renewing of our thoughts, we become successful in those things God appoints for us to do."
The following fun song is a reminder of God's unconditional love for us. We all fail, but Jesus never gives up on us!!!
