serving a God of freedom

We take it for granted, friends. We serve a God who allows us to live for Him and make our own decisions. Does He expect us to make decisions that please Him and glorify Him? Of course! But I think we get bogged down in the legalities of “pleasing God.” We decide what music is good or bad, or if music itself is good or bad. We inadvertantly judge other peoples’ choices, and then we fall under a level of judgment, as well (even if we’re only judging ourselves.) It may be that I am just rambling, but I’m witnessing a friend learn about God in a real sense for the first time. She has been taught about God by her family and community her whole life, but she’s been taught about a very strict, judgemental, and legalistic God. She hasn’t been taught about God’s bigger agenda: Jesus Christ and the love poured out on the cross. A love that covers all sins. A love that has torn the curtain and opened up the opportunity for a relationship with God. A love that gives us the freedom to worship in our own way, as long as it is pleasing and glorifying to God.

She and her husband have decided to come to Elston Family Church, and they are being blown away by the love of God. They are being blown away by the freedom God offers. In fact, they have fallen so much more in love with Christ, that they are willing to follow Him, even if it means facing harsh judgement and critical attitudes by their families. Can you fathom this? Can you fathom being willing to sacrifice your family to follow God?? Because it’s exactly what God has commanded us to do, if that’s what it takes. I can’t tell you how much I am growing by watching this sister. Her actions are so whole-heartedly devoted to pleasing God that it ignites a fire in me that is raging. It is renewing a gratefulness in me that is humbling. It is stirring a passion in me that is contagious.

And you know what? We don’t serve a God of destruction. We don’t serve a God who wants to see families divided. We serve a God of the opposite. A God who can’t wait to deliver healing and understanding. A God who seeks to restore families and take them to a higher level…to a new love for Him and a new love for each other. We are seeing it daily at Elston, and I don’t believe it’s about to stop. I believe we’re about to see some modern miracles. I believe my friend is living her life in total abandon to God and living her life by doling out His unending love for us. Do I think that will be a force that separates her family? Maybe for a short time, but more importantly, I believe it is going to be a force that is going to impact her entire extended family (biological and in-law) and her entire community to run after this loving, contagious, amazing, powerful, almighty, sacrificial, and compelling God, who has shown Himself to us through Jesus Christ.

Does that get me fired up? You bet.