I ran away when I was 3 years old. Well, not intentionally. My parents were shopping in downtown Las Vegas on the now famous Fremont Street and I was having fun hiding in the clothing racks. Mom thought dad was watching me and visa-a-versa. By the time my panicked parents realized I was gone, I had traveled down three city blocks, crossed two busy intersections, and into a casino before a policeman picked me up and took me to a children’s detention nursery. When my relieved parents showed up several hours later I was very upset – not from being lost but at having to leave. I was having quite an adventure, had not been at all afraid, and wanted to continue to stay at the nursery because it was ice cream and cookie time. I still have a casino keychain that someone gave me as a token of my adventure that day. If anyone has an independent soul it has to be me. I was even born on Independence Day, July 4th!
We are wired for connection and yet we scream for independence from the moment we are born. How can we be free and still long to be connected? These universal human needs seem opposite until you understand God’s nature and perfect design for us. What allows us to step out into the unknown, break the chains that hold us back, and not be afraid to be and do all that God compels us to tackle in life?
It’s an unshakable trust and constant connecting relationship with God and yet we have the knowledge to choose. We can do our own thing or follow His direction. It’s truly a mystery and what I call God courage. The more we know about Him and trust Him, the less afraid and more free and confident we are moving into the unknown. It’s not blind trust but an eyes wide open trust – Godly sight. We see God and rely on Him to walk before us. God sets us free from the chains of limitations, expectations and human earthly rules. He helps us “walk on water.” It was only when Peter took his eyes off Jesus that he fell into the water and it was only after he grabbed the Master’s hand that God lifted him back up and took him to safety. It’s our choice. Our eyes on Him or eyes down, shut, looking away, and falling.
Deuteronomy 31:6 says “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” When catastrophes, failures, and uncertainty are evident He is my peace in the midst of the storm, water in the desert, light in the black of night, and my solid foundation.
Lastly, freedom requires unconditional obedience. It requires we break some stubborn habits, pull up some unbelieving weeds that have been planted in our lives, and change our traditional natural thinking and choices on what it’s supposed to look like and be like.
John 8:32. You shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free.
Need freedom? Do you know the Truth? His name is Jesus, the son of God.
