Independence Day

            Freedom is a costly thing.

            Men and women across this entire world have bled and breathed their last for people like me to experience freedom. Children have lost their parents so other children can be taught how to ride their bike as their dad holds on tight then lets go of the handle bars for the first time.

            We live for freedom, and we die for it.

            Freedom means something more. We hope that this freedom from oppression will bring us satisfaction and rest and everything else we have hoped for.

            But how many people who have this earthly freedom actually find satisfaction and rest. How many are actually free?

            Our paychecks and lifestyles bind us. Our bills pin us down to a job. Other people tell us we have to be this or we have to be that in order to be accepted: we’re too fat or too skinny, too outspoken or too quiet. No matter what we do, it seems we can’t win; we can’t be free from this world and worry.

            Or can we?

            About two thousand years ago the fight for freedom looked like a sinless man being betrayed with a kiss from one of His best friends. Freedom’s fight was this same sinless-man standing before a screaming crowd calling for His death by the cruelest cross. People laughed at Him and even misunderstood Him; He fought for the ultimate freedom.

            The cause for freedom ripped into His flesh with jagged thorns and bits of metal on leather whips. Layer of skin, after layer of skin were shredded from his body as His lifeblood poured from His body onto a dusty street. A heavy cross was placed upon His now frail body to be carried to His death. People spit on Him, and He was the Son of God-God in human form.

            Jesus’ chest heaved as He reached up with His nail-pierced hands to push a last bit of air through His strained lungs. As people mocked Him for his freedom cry, Jesus called for forgiveness for them all.

            The Son of God had done nothing to deserve death; yet, He hung on a cross so we could be free from sin and death, and three days later, He rose from the dead and beat the grave. We can have freedom.

            2 Corinthians 3:17 says, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (NIV). Freedom from sin, death, worry, restlessness, incompletion, sorrow, shame, and defeat.

Through the blood of Jesus, we have the freedom to live life to the full because no longer are we defined by our sins and shortcomings; we are defined by Christ’s righteousness.

The greatest fight for freedom was not won on a battle field between two opposing countries but on a cross.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Quit Calling God a Liar

            Yeah. I said it. Quit calling God a liar.

            I’m not just saying this to whoever is going to read this post. I’m saying it to me—to my soul because about a year ago (and again yesterday), I realized that I was telling God that what He said about me was wrong.

            No. I never said those words, but when I read Psalm 139:14-15 and let the words “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” sink into my soul, I’d spew out thanksgivings to my faithful God, but then the next day, I’d look in the mirror or weigh myself and tell myself that I’m too skinny. Shame and self-pity would seep into my soul and, most days would win out over the absolute truth spoken by a loving God. Not only would I down my looks, but I’d down my worth, thinking that I’m not good enough to be used by God—that I have to try harder.

            I’d let lies of insecurities whisper to my soul until I turned up their volume and down the volume of truth, and I realized why. For some reason, I had let myself believe God didn’t mean what He said.

            The problem with that mindset is that it’s  a big lie.

            If God has told me that He counts me worthy, that I am loved, and that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, who am I to question that or spit out reason after reason that that just cannot be true?

            No, I never told God He was a liar, but my life and my mindset did (and sometimes still does). It’s time to stop believing the lies of the enemy and silence them for good. Believe that God created you fearfully and wonderfully. He has made you beautiful, ladies. He has made you handsome and strong, gentlemen. 

God created a masterpiece when He designed us. His masterpiece isn’t a big mess, either. It’s beautiful. When God told us that He’d send the Spirit and give us power, He meant it. We don’t have to make ourselves up or gather accomplishments to be valued and useful because in reality, nothing we do in our own power can compare to His ability and power to do the impossible.

Quit calling God a liar, and claim what He has called you as TRUTH.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are coheirs with Christ. You are loved. You are worthy. You are whole. You are His child. You have nothing to fear. You are HIS.

Living Life Together

,

Rebecca Thomas 

Identity Crisis

           We all find our identity somewhere.

            It could be found in our academia, friends, family, money, job, clothes, self, or even the media, but wherever you find your identity, if it’s not in Christ, you’re probably believing a lie—actually, let me rephrase that: you are believing a lie.

            Recently, I realized how I’ve fallen for the wrong identity. Being the people pleaser that I am, I discovered that I find my identity in what others say about me and what others believe about me. Through this belief, I’ve become crippled and at a loss for who I am. Am I this, that, or that? It was all so confusing, but then, God intervened and righted this wrong way of thinking.

            Here is who God reminded me that I am:

            I am loved (John 3:16)

            I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139: 13-16).

            I am fully known and yet, fully loved (Psalm 139).

            I am chosen (1 Peter 2:9).

            I am fully forgiven and therefore, can do nothing to sever my relationship with my Savior (Colossians 2:13-14).

            I am a child of God, a daughter of the King (John 1:12-13).

            I am a friend of God (John 15:15).

            I am set free from sin (Romans 6:18).

            I am a new creation and don’t have to worry or feel guilty about my past (2 Corinthians 5:17).

            I am Christ’s ambassador; He chose to use me to spread His name (2 Corinthians 5:20).

            I am His beloved and bride (Isaiah 62:3-4).

            It is refreshing to know my identity is not found in what others think about me but in what God knows about me. I am God’s creation and therefore, He knows me; He knows you.

            Today, remember where your identity comes from. Those verses are just a few examples of who we are in Christ. I encourage you to read for yourself.

            Remember: you are loved, counted worthy, a child of God, and a beautiful creation. You do not have to be perfect or successful or anything else because you are already God’s.

            Listen to Him. He calls you beloved. He calls you His own.

            Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Broken Tools and Shattered Mirrors

            This past Easter, my church did this thing where we could take a tour of creation to the cross where Jesus died. I’ll never forget the experience of creation.

            Imagine perfection. You’re whole and one with God. You’re in perfect relation with Him, yourself, and others. One room in creation had tons of mirrors hanging on the walls and one large one sitting in the middle of the room. The only instructions said to imagine yourself as God had created you to be: perfect, flawless. Before the fall, we knew that God created us wonderfully and fearfully and didn’t question that fact. I wouldn’t see my big feet and ears. I wouldn’t see the two red scars on the side of my nose that I believe everyone will see if I don’t cover them up. I wouldn’t think I was too skinny or not pretty enough. Before the fall, I would know that I am created beautiful, but that perfect creation didn’t last—Adam and Eve sinned and brokenness entered our world.

            As I walked out of the creation room and entered the fall, everything was mangled and tattered in the dark room. A picture of twisted DNA with garbage pushing through the strands rested on a pile of sticks. Then, a pile of broken tools and equipment sat on the floor with signs saying, “You’ll never be good enough.” “You can’t fix it,” “Give up.” Why even try.” It was a broken mess representing how sin killed the way men view themselves. I was heartbroken. Tears welled up inside me.

            Then, I saw a broken mirror with glass scattered on the floor. Pictures of the “ideal” woman were strewn across a bulletin board. Some signs read “Shake yourself skinny,” “10 ways to lose weight,” “You’re not pretty enough,” or “No one will want you.” Pictures of photoshopped women covered the board. In that moment, I realized what we had lost when sin entered our world, and my heart broke into pieces.

            I also realized that that perception of us, men or women, was a lie. Yes, a lie. It was also a sin. God tells you and me that we ARE fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14, NIV). For us to say that we aren’t is to tell God that He is a liar. I don’t want to do that.

            Men, God created you to be leaders and hard workers, which means that He has designed that into your DNA. Yes, sin has messed up a lot, but with God you can be who He created you to be. Be strong warriors. You can protect us. I believe that. God says it. He created you to love women fearlessly and to provide for us. Trust Him to sharpen that in you. He can. Through Him, you’re good enough, strong enough, brave enough.

            Women, my fellow, precious women. You’re beautiful. We don’t have to look for flaws. God has created us wonderfully. He designed us and calls us HIS daughters. Be confident. You don’t have to be a certain weight or height or color or anything else because God loves you and KNOWS that you are beautiful.

            Don’t let the lies of Satan drag you down. Remember who God created you to be. He doesn’t make mistakes. He is the perfect artist. You are beautiful. You are worth it. You are loved. You are being fought for. You are His.

           And remember, the story didn't end at the fall. One day, when Christ returns, we won't be a broken mess anymore. We'll live in perfection with the One who saved our souls. I can't wait until that day.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas