Choosing Freedom

[Key friends of mine]

So last week, I talked a little on bravery. This week? freedom. mostly because these little words have been huge on my walk to the holy land. and honestly, I feel like the two go hand in hand. Freedom comes from bravery to do the extra - ordinary. Freedom is given to us through Jesus, but to live in freedom, well friends we have to walk in that every day.

Sometimes I'm an emotional basket case. On one occasion during my childhood I can remember throwing a tantrum because I wanted ice-cream and my parents didn't want to drive to the store to get me some. yeah, I was that kid. but that's besides the point. The point is that sometimes I don't always choose freedom. I choose to live in a place of guilt and shame. and let's be honest for a moment: who is that benefiting? I think we all know the answer to that. Just a few years ago, this concept was foreign to me. I had no clue that God could take all the chains in my life and break them. Like actually break them. But now that I know, I have to choose every day to live in the fact that He did.

friend, I don't know where you are in your story. I don't know if you are choosing to walk in freedom but find your environment is a hard place to live in it. I don't know who's in your life. but what I do know is Jesus is desperately wanting to be a part of that life. He wants so bad to show you just how free you really are. and friend, I know you're scared, lonely, bruised and beaten, but Jesus has come to set you free. He has come to set me free from living in the identity of an overemotional basket case and has called me by name: beloved. He's calling you by name too.

I've been thinking about one of Ann Voskamp's posts here recently (which by the way if you don't read her blog every day, you should. just sayin') and she talked about being a Key Person. Someone who unlocks your chains and gives you permission to be free. and now I find myself wanting to be that person. I find myself trying my best to let others know that it is okay to not have their lives together when they are around me and that they can be free. I hope if we see each other in person, you feel free. and if we are only meeting through my blog, well I hope you feel free here too. I hope you feel free enough to share your life with me like I was your roommate or tell me your struggles because, shoot, I love knowing that I'm not the only crazy person around here.

most of all, I hope you choose to walk in freedom because it is SWEET. it is hard and takes work every day. but what good thing doesn't?

you have the freedom to throw off every expectation here. and live a life full of Joy.

So go on and be free. Be brave. Do whatever your heart is beating out of your chest for you to do. I dare you to choose freedom today.

Em