Entry 2
Finding freedom in Christ’s newness
For the longest time, I found identity in the things I did, acceptances and awards I received, and what the reviews of other humans had to say about me.
I always felt as though I had to live up to something, making a name for myself almost.
Keep in mind, I am the oldest daughter in my family as well as a Pastor’s daughter, so with both of these attributes on top of being a performer, one may think “what a chaotic combo.” But all of it has genuinely opened the door for me to undeservingly experience the depth of God’s grace time and time again throughout my life.
You see, I have known who Jesus was essentially from birth. I was raised to claim Christianity as my faith and my spiritual worldview. But a relationship with God, apart from those who raised me, did not become real to me until I was in my early years of college.
It look me a long time to forgive myself for the many mistakes of things I did and said before surrendering my life to God; lies I’d told, people I had aimed to please — and don’t be mistaken, I’m certainly not anymore perfect than that 17 year old girl just trying to get into Musical Theatre colleges — but I came across a scripture one day that forever changed how I see all of those mistakes done and said in the past.
I was preparing to teach a Sunday school class and the Memory Verse was 2 Corinthians 5:17 which says “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
The heart of living out the Christian faith is centered on change, not even just carrying new attributes, but living out an entirely new life. Because of who He is, I no longer have to wonder if those sins define me, but I’d still ask Him “then what was the point?”
“I waste nothing,” God whispered to my heart, “everything you’ve gone through before intimately walking with me, every fire you’ve walked across, is apart of becoming who I’ve called you to be today and who you are going to be tomorrow,”
Romans 8:28 confirms this Spirit filled reminder by telling us “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose,”
When I’m reminded of the freedom which we are able to experience when we look at our lives through the lens of God’s good, pleasing and perfect will, I am able to truly REST in that newness of who He has allowed us to be by way of His grace.
I am able to rest in the fact that we are adopted sons and daughters as children of the most merciful God (Romans 8:16-17). I am able to rest in the fact that He knows what I truly need more than I do (Matthew 6:25-34). And more than anything I am able to rest in the fact that I am not sovereign but He is (Ephesians 1:11).
He wastes nothing and there is so much freedom found here in his newness friends. I invite you to continue finding that with me.
