I love the way The Message rephrases Galatians 5.

The freedom that Jesus provides is one of those heart-breakingly beautiful concepts that I will never get over. He came to set us free. He came to set our lives free. It feels too great a gift to receive, which I think is why I often throw it off. Instead, I worry, get anxious, doubt my future, doubt my talent and become afraid to really be seen by others. That’s what slavery looks like in my life.

But freedom?

When we are defined by Him, we are free from everything and everyone else.

I envision it like this: just the two of us in His workshop. It’s quiet and the sun streams in through open windows. Away from everything, we keep on with our work: Him chiseling away my fears, my selfishness and my doubts and me, standing still and learning what it feels like to live less weighed down.

Animated by His Spirit – I feel it every time I decide to open my heart in conversation, when I share my burdens, my embarrassments and struggles with others. And in return, His Spirit replaces those things with gifts of friendship and connection, support and encouragement, love and life.

It’s just the two of us in His workshop of my life.  That’s what freedom feels like today, and also in this current season of life.

 

What about you?