by Tracy Manno We are all creatures of familiarity. Even those of us who are adventurous and like trying new things, we all find a comfortable place in going back to things that are familiar to us. Whether it is a favorite food, an old movie, or coming home after a long trip away, we all find our grounding in things that are familiar to us.
The problem with our tendencies for the familiar is we can become trapped in patterns of old thinking and behaviors that hold us back and keep us from walking the NEW things God has prepared us for. Jesus made this point when He said “"No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62) This truth extends a lot farther into our lives than I think most people recognize. We all understand that we wrestle against our old nature; our sinful, prideful and selfish tendencies. But even more than that, there are greater forces at work against us that aren’t as clearly seen or understood. These are forces designed to keep you trapped in living a life that is less than what God intended for you. Strongholds meant to keep you in the dark, and conformed to patterns of this world. And the scariest part is that these strongholds that are meant to imprison us end up being the very things we defend and identify with the most. We don’t recognize them as dangerous because they are by design familiar to us. We don’t question them because they are cloaked deep within our core beliefs and how we see the world. And the more we deflect the truth of their existence, the more hardened they become. I wrote the book “Know God Find Freedom” to give you insight into these strongholds and show you how to identify them; and to also show you God’s strategy to release His power in your life that will set you free, shift your perspective, and move you forward on the path to fulfilling His purposes for your life! And that power is in the knowing! Jesus said “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free” Our lives can feel like that of a hamster in a cage, always looking through the plastic box to something we want to reach on the outside, and as we move towards it we find ourselves running within a habitrail, a maze of twisting tubes, always leading us back to where we started. Each time we try and move toward our new life, our old thoughts and behaviors unconsciously redirect us back to where we have always been a hundred times before, until finally, and tragically, we resign ourselves to think “this is just how life will always be.” Have you been there? Are you there? Well I want to encourage you today not to give up hope! There is an escape from the cycles and patterns that have held you captive! When the apostle Paul told us to “Grab hold of the eternal life to which you were called!” he was saying take hold and enter into the freedom of your new life now! And the place we go to grab hold of this freedom is at the place of KNOWING GOD. Jesus IS the truth, and to KNOW the Truth we must replace what we always thought to be true with what He says is truth. This is the process of abiding in Christ, and it’s a very personal process, and it is the path to your Freedom, of taking possession of your new life, not just when you get to heaven, but right now! No longer do you need to submit to patterns that keep you filled with fear and anxiety. No longer do you need to resign to a life of doubt, confusion and hopelessness. No longer do you need to question if God has a purpose for your life. This is a journey of discovery! And in order to discover the new, we MUST BE WILLING AND INTENTIONAL about letting go of the familiar. What you’ve always thought. How you’ve always perceived and interpreted the world and those around you. You need to be willing to look through new eyes, hear with new ears, think with new thoughts, and understand with the wisdom God gives. Jesus said we must become like children again if we are to be useful in the Kingdom… ready to learn, explore, seek out the new! When we seek and find truth, we also find revelation. God not only wants to reveal all of who He is to you, but also all He created you to be and do! When we know God, we have FOUND OUR FREEDOM. Know God Find Freedom will help you break free from the paralyzing forces that keep you running in familiar circles and holding you back from taking new ground; and will open your vision to the journey set before you, to know and live the new life that Christ has already prepared for you. I know that as you apply the insights and methods discussed in this book, it is going to be ground breaking for your life, your calling, and your freedom!
1 Comment
|
His Way Viewson life and worship. Archives
September 2019
Categories |