45. That’s the speed limit on a particular road near my
house. Has been 45 for as long as I can remember. There’s not much on that
road- no businesses really, no houses. It’s just a road from here to there.
But for some reason I have trouble going past 30 on that
road.
I don’t know why. I’m not a speed demon by any means. Kindof
a self-proclaimed granny driver normally. But typically I try to drive at
*just* the speed limit. If there’s a place I feel wont to speed, I put it on
cruise control so that I don’t accidentally do so.
Rules are nice. So are speed limits.
So why on that particular road do I always have trouble?
I don’t have an insightful answer for you, but it does
provide a great illustration for a bit of soul searching I’ve been doing as a
result of our recent Bible study at church (Beth Moore’s Breaking Free).
There are some areas that for one reason or another, I
refuse to let go, and be free in God. I am held back. And it’s not pretty. It’s
frustrating for everyone around me. And my Authority is telling me, “You can go
faster… It’s okay. You’ll reach your goal sooner.”
But there are areas where I have allowed my pain to define
me, and my fear to keep me back. And it has made me slow in growing, slow in my
faith growing and altogether captive. But just in those areas. I have not been
held back completely; in other areas I’ve grown and matured, even felt like ‘speeding’
(to stay with my illustration).
It is possible to have split captivity and freedom.
But I desire to just floor it and go! Just throw the top
down, crank up the worship music and just thrive in Jesus!
Jesus, help me. It’s 45! This vehicle was made to go faster
than I’m letting it. Anyone in the car with me – my kids or my husband, or
friends and family – are also held back when they’re on the ride with me.
Not only do I hold up others, and take longer to reach my
destination than I ought to have, and frustrate those around me, but I’m
wasting precious time! Remember I said there’s nothing on that road. It’s just
a journey. So then opportunities could be lost for my wasting the allotted
minutes of my life on dawdling. On fear, or bondage of any kind. It is such a
waste of my life to stay in it.
Let’s go! It’s 45.
I have reached a measure of healing. I am by no means where
I ought to be, but definitely farther than I was.
That’s all I have to say. Nothing terribly profound- just
thoughts. If any of this resonates with you, though, I would strongly urge you
to read the book or participate in the study or both.
Also- I want to let you know about a giveaway I am blessed
to sponsor! It is over at Created to Glorify and there’s only a few days left
to enter. Here’s the link:
It features words from one of the memory verses from Breaking Free, Isaiah 61:3,
with which I’ll close.
“…and provide for those who grieve in Zion —
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.”
Isaiah 61:3 NIV
