Freely Speaking with Karen

I was seated cross-legged on a taped circle fiddling with the frilly hem of my pretty white lace dress. The Kindergarten Sunday School teacher told us about Jesus, smiling warmly at each child. She asked if anyone wanted to pray with her to accept Jesus into our hearts, and we all folded our little hands and prayed earnestly.

Fast forward to age 18. Because my family situation had been abusive, I felt like a caged wildcat. I was repressed, but I still thought of myself as a Christian. I believed God was calling me to the mission field, so I enrolled in Bible College. I met a boy I thought would please my mom and her family. Three months later, we were married. It turned out to be an abusive marriage which was eventually annulled. I turned right around and married a man I thought would please my dad and his side of the family. That also was abusive and failed.

I was a Christian, right? But I was not tracking with God at all, was I? I was trying to please others, not God. Indeed, it is clear to me now that I was sinning all along the way by not being honest with myself or anyone else. Had I ever truly been a Christian? Hmm, that’s a daunting thought, isn’t it? When Jesus says:

“…and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free… if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:32-36 ESV).

He is telling the Jews exactly how they may have true freedom in Him. They must lay aside all sinful ways. Jesus says these wicked ways enslave and keep them from their Father’s Heavenly House. We can only have peace and freedom if we give everything to God in Jesus: all sin, all worry, all hurt, all bitterness, ALL of ourselves.  

We must track with Him every moment of every day, developing our relationship through prayer and reading His Word. Then we can rejoice in the amazing FREEDOM only He can give!