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

In Memory of His Death

            Today is Memorial Day in the United States of America. On this day, we Americans remember all of the men and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

            So many people suffered so that I can have freedom of speech, religion, and so many other liberties, and so often, I forget to remember.

            I forget they are fighting.

            I forget that they bled.

            I don’t remember that their minds were damaged.

            I neglect to honor the families who lost loved ones.

            I forget when I shouldn't. They deserve to be remembered, honored. I thank them for their sacrifice. 

            But, today not only was I reminded and challenged to stop forgetting those who sacrificed for my liberties here in America, but I was also reminded to remember some other people—heroes of our faith.

            Jesus Christ died that we might know Him as our Savior and spend eternity with Him one day.

            He was hungry.

            Pain surged through His body.

            Whips ripped the skin off of His back.

            Blood poured down his bare skin.

            His lungs cried out for oxygen as they began to lose the battle for life.

            His own father forsook Him.

            Then, He died.

            All of this sacrifice was done on yours and my behalf so we can be free. Because of His great sacrifice we are no longer slaves to sin, no more do we have to feel guilt and shame, and no more do we have to die a spiritual death—we are free.

            But, how often do we forget His sacrifice?

            How many minutes, hours, and days do we live as if that pivotal moment in time never happened?

            Too many.

            Today, many people across my home country of America will be remembering those who sacrificed their lives for our earthly freedom, but, wherever you are, don’t forget to meditate on the greatest sacrifice of all.

            Many years ago, Christ gave His life. Choose to live life to the fullest as you bring glory to God. Honor Christ’s sacrifice by obeying Him and actually living in His freedom that He died to bring.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Simply Follow the Leader

            I don’t know about you, but I used to (and still sometimes do), feel as if following Christ is complicated.

             We have to remember to do so many things: read and study the Word, memorize the Word, be good, love God, love neighbor, become like Christ, be a living sacrifice, and so much more, but there’s one problem with this thought.

            We can’t do any of this on our own, nor are we called to become like Christ on our own. Also, when we understand grace fully, the have to disappears because we desperately want to seek God with all of our hearts and learn and pray. He puts the desire inside us.

            This past Sunday, a speaker made me realize a truth that I had never fully known before. God commands us to simply follow Him, and He does the rest.

            Peter and Andrew, Jesus’ first two disciples, were once fishermen. They were professionals. I bet they could sing and the fish would come to them (maybe not, but you get the point). Peter and Andrew knew everything there was to know about catching fish. Casting nets was their life, and one day, a man named Jesus told them to follow Him and become fishers of men instead (ESV, Matt. 4:18-20).

            Let’s look at what Jesus said to them specifically: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19).

            Jesus didn’t tell Peter and Andrew that they had to learn how to love Him by themselves or interpret scripture on their own without Him. He didn’t tell them that they had to renew their minds or make themselves like Christ, and He certainly didn’t say they had to make anything of themselves.

            They were simply called to follow. Jesus does the rest. He is the potter; we just have to be willing clumps of clay.

            Remember the game Follow the Leader? Everyone would walk behind the leader while mimicking everything the leader did. The followers looked to the leader to know how to act, sound, look, or move. 

            They didn’t make up what to do; they relied on the leader to make them flawless followers.

            The next time you feel overwhelmed, remember that God has called you to follow Him. He shows you what to do.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Where My Feet May Fall

            This time of year is full of beginnings and ends for many people. With my college graduation just around the corner, I’m no different. I’ll be honest. This past week has been extremely hard for me. I’ve had exciting moments, such as turning in my last paper of my undergrad career and walking out of my last exam, but I’ve almost cried more times than I can count.

            I’m leaving behind people who have become like my family. Tears come to my eyes as I think about not seeing them and having no definite time when we’ll reunite. For the first time in my life, I understand what fellowship with other believers means, and I can’t imagine life without those people in my life.

            The future seems so uncertain and scary.

            This past Sunday at church, we sang the song “Oceans: Where My Feet May Fall” by Hillsong United. The song talks about how God calls us out on the waves, where we may fall, stumble, or mess up. But, it also reminds us that God’s sovereign hand will guide us. He will never leave us.

            Throughout this song, all I could think about was Peter. The disciples, including Peter, were on the Sea of Galilee, which was exactly where Jesus had told them to be. Then, they see someone who looks like a ghost, but thankfully, it turns out to be Jesus. All of the disciples had to even more realize the deity of Christ as He walked on water in the midst of a storm. Then, Peter says “Lord, if it’s you, [. . .] tell me to come to on the water,” and then, Jesus does (Matt. 14:28).

            Next, Peter does what we as Christians long to do, he obeys and follows Christ despite the obvious risk of drowning. Think about it. Monstrous waves are billowing up around Peter, causing the boat to rock back and forth, but Peter steps out in faith because Jesus is there.

            I was reminded that the future may be filled with storms, but Jesus is out there walking above the waves. If I follow Jesus, I may be placed in the middle of a storm, but He’ll keep me safe and guide me, and if I fail, His love will break my fall and pick me back up when I reach my hand towards Him, just like Jesus rescued Peter after he took his eyes off Jesus.

            Therefore, I may be leaving people I love (but I always can keep in touch), but Jesus is out on the waves waiting for me. I may not know what lies beneath the surface of the waves, but Christ does and will not intentionally take me into harm.

            I don’t know what kind of uncertainty you’re facing or what Jesus is calling you to do, but I do know that He will be with you; He will guide you; He will catch you when you fall.

            Therefore, don’t worry about the future. I’m not.

Living Life Together, 

Rebecca Thomas

To Be Known Is to Be Loved

           The sun scorched her skin as she trekked to Jacob’s well. She shielded her eyes from the rays of light blocking her view to make sure she’d be alone to draw water at midday. She checked to make sure nobody was coming with her—she was sick of the stares.

            No one else should have been at the well, but as she reached her destination, a man resting against the stone came into focus. Recognizing He was a Jew, she turned her eyes downward and began to draw water. Startling her, He spoke.

           “Will you give me a drink?”

           "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" she asked. 

            "If you knew the gift of God and who it was that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water," He answered (NIV John 4:4-10).

           She stood stunned for a second knowing that if He really knew her, He'd never ask her for anything, much less offer this "living water.” 

             I imagine this was something that went through the Samaritan woman’s mind as she first saw Jesus. She knew this man was a Jew who shouldn’t speak with Samaritans, much less a Samaritan woman. She was probably waiting for Him to stop talking to her because of her shameful past, but Jesus didn’t. In fact, He told her who she was (sins and all) yet loved her still and offered her new life. Jesus knew her and didn’t glare at her with judgmental glances. He simply loved her, and that love changed her life (John 4:39-42).

           We, like the Samaritan woman, are full of past failures, sins, and shame, but as Jesus offered living water to this lady, He offers us the same, freely. The truth is that Jesus didn’t tell the woman to get her life together before she could have the gift of God; He forgave her even in her sin and then, changed her life.

            We can come to Christ just as we are because “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (NIV, Romans 5:8). Know this, there is nothing you have done that God cannot forgive, and you don’t have to work to change yourself.

Come just as you are, and leave the rest to Christ.

Living Life Together, 

Rebecca Thomas

Desiring a Blueprint

             I’m finally a senior in college, but I’ve found myself more scared than excited, and more worried than peaceful, basically, the opposite of relying on Christ. But, I’ve been trying so hard. Questions kept pounding my thoughts one day last semester, such as “What am I going to do after college?” “If I do grad school, how am I going to pay for it?” Should I write, teach, event plan, what?”

Suddenly, I found myself begging God for the same thing He told me I didn’t need a long time ago—a blueprint.  Then, He whispered to my heart a truth that I never realized before: only a professional knows how to read a blueprint.  

When I was a little, I found the blueprints to my home. My small hands unraveled the code and I stared in wonder. Being an inquisitive child, I had to know what the blueprint meant. Blue ink covered the pages, and I had no idea what to make of any of it; so, I called in an expert—my dad.

My dad has to interpret blueprints often. So, we sat down with the instructions stretched out to size. He pointed out every detail he thought would interest me. I showed him, in pride, \ the walls, but those lines actually illustrated the perimeter of the foundation. The one part I thought I could pinpoint by myself ended up being something completely different.Through my eyes, I saw blue ink on a page, but through my dad’s trained eyes that ink wasn’t a big mess; it was a house.

Just as I couldn’t read the blueprints to my house, I also can’t interpret God’s plan for my life. I need Him to sit with me every day and tell me the next step. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (NIV).  This verse reminds me that I’m not the expert when it comes to the big picture of my life and my understanding fails me every time.

Jeremiah 29:11, states, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future’” (NIV). God has a plan for us and doesn’t hand us the blueprint because it’s a God plan. Even if He hand it to us, we would never understand it without Him, and it’d probably overwhelm us. God’s ways are not our ways, and instead of seeing a beautiful future, we’d probably just see a big blue inkblot.  

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas