Tuesday, May 23, 2023

We are in the second week of our series, The Butterfly Effect. Barb Roose gave an amazing message about freedom and fear.

She defined freedom as living free from self-limiting thoughts and destructive behaviors, fully alive in God’s great adventure of joy and purpose for your life. Throughout her powerful message, Barb reminded us that we should not let fear stop us from fighting for freedom.

Most of us desire to live this way. Unfortunately, many of us find it easier to stay where we are than to change. Change can be scary. Sometimes God calls us to change because we are in a bad situation. Other times, he calls us to stop doing something good because he has a better plan for us.

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

For several months, God has been prompting me to step down from attending and leading a women’s Group. I have led this Group for over ten years, and the ladies are an amazing collection of women. They are my best friends and a huge part of my life. Yet, God is calling me to do something different. He helped me realize that I had become so comfortable in my role that I felt stagnant. I was no longer feeling content or fulfilled. I knew it was time to step down.

Stepping away from something and starting something new is scary. The fear of failure kicked in. What if I was making the wrong decision? What is God calling me to do next? What would I do without seeing these ladies weekly?

When I reflect on who God is, how faithful he is, and how much he loves me, I know I can trust him. He has a perfect plan. I know God’s truth is the only thing that sets me free.

John 8:32
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

I want to be free and to be fully alive in God’s great adventure of joy and purpose for my life. To do this, I must trust God and obey him. Today is my last day leading my Group. I am sad and excited at the same time. I can hardly wait to see what God does next in my life.

Questions:
Are you experiencing true freedom by obeying God? If not, what changes are God calling you to make? 

Next Steps:
Pray and ask God for wisdom on how to live in his true freedom. Lead a Group to help others find freedom, or plan to join one!

Prayer:
God, you are so faithful. I trust you. Please help me to be fully alive in your great adventure of joy and purpose for my life. I want to live in the freedom only you can give. I am so grateful that the God of the universe cares so much about me. Please lead me in your ways and take away all my fears. Help me to trust in you alone. Amen.