Drop the Shackles

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

I'm feeling tired of waiting. I'm there today. Sometimes the waiting gets the best of me and I have to meditate on Hebrews 12:1. I know God has a plan, but sometimes living out that plan seems to take longer than I planned. At times the race seems a bit laborious and we find ourselves stopping, as the hare did, to "take a nap". Hebrews 12:1 reminds us to keep running. Find those people, those saints, who surround you and support you and run the race with perseverance. I envision a runner who is casting off shackles and beginning to clumsily run as they fall from his body. His face shows pure freedom as he releases them to the ground and recognizes who he is running toward, Jesus. Sometimes I need to be reminded that my life on earth is not about me. In my case, I need to drop the shackles that have already been removed, and run to Jesus. As long as I'm with Him, who cares how long I have to wait? Resting in Jesus is the best type of waiting.

Comments

Blessed Assurance

Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth , nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. This verse just makes me want to shout, "AMEN!" But isn't it frustrating how Satan knows exactly where to hit us to make us doubt? And then he is so good at kicking us while we are down. I, unfortunately, had this experience very recently. I was feeling a little worried about a particular situation and then Satan pounced and made me feel like an enormous loser. He was feeding me lies that he knew I would believe, because they are the same lies I always fall for. Thankfully, I was able to spend some time with God in quiet solitude. I was reminded that no matter what Satan throws at me, I will never be separated from the love of God because I have Christ Jesus...

For Mom

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. This is a post for Mom. She is the embodiment of these words written by Paul. When I think of Mom and who God created her to be, this is it. Each of these phrases describes her perfectly. Mom learned very early on in her walk with Jesus to let Him have His way in her life. Who she is and has been to people is the testament to that. Her patience with a super naughty 2-year old, namely me, rivaled that of Job. I don't ever remember her getting angry. Quite frankly, Mom and the word angry in the same sentence is laughable. She never bragged or boasted about us (even though we know she's proud of us) because that wouldn't be showing love to her listener. Mom was never rude, she was always serving others, and she was never jud...

Mercy and Compassion

Jude 22-23 Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. This is something I have struggles with, loving those who frustrate me. How can we be merciful to those who are "corrupt" without being judgmental? It is definitely not our place to judge one another, it is our place to love one another. Sometimes loving the people who are rude or cruel is the hardest part of being a Christian. My humanity would like to judge people for their behaviors and choices and lash out at them. I believe we are only able to show true mercy and compassion for others when we accept these for ourselves from Jesus and then He lives them through us. Allowing God to change our hearts in order that Jesus' mercy and compassion shine through is a journey. It's not always easy. On those difficult days, I remain quiet and ask God to love on me, so I...

Abbie Coffey

Search This Blog