What if, just for one day, we decided to act from a place of settled acceptance? For one day, what if we dared not bring to mind the rejection of the past, the insecurity of our present, the anxiety over our future? I have been wondering lately what that day would look like; to live as if I were free and whole and satisfied. I think I would be able to hear more clearly, to love more fully, to give more abundantly, to laugh with a snort. I also think I would long for that day to roll into the next day. And the next. Today, I’m unwrapping the sweet gift of choice. Because I have a Redeemer, it is possible to have that day.
“Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.” Galatians 5:1, The Message
I love the days when I feel like that! And I really love that version of that verse. So powerful! I do feel like I am right where I am supposed to be, and it is right where I want to be. But then my husband says “go get a job” and my sails collapse. I just started the “Anointed-Transformed-Redeemed” study based on the Deeper Still conference. Good stuff! I was so encouraged when I applied 1Chron 14:2 to myself: “I realized that God has established me as the wife and mom at home for this family for HIS glory!” Today, I choose to rest in that! Have a glorious day. Blessings!
Amen.
(lovely butterfly image, ms. photographer lady)
This is a good reminder, Emily. So often I feel stuck, as if I were completely caught in my past, present, and future. The bad days are when the anxiety about all three come crashing in at the same time.
But I do have the choice simply to trust in the Lord. You are right. It’s a choice, and it’s one that He made available to us at very great cost. I believe it, I love it, I teach it–why can’t I act as if it were true?
“Lord, I believe. . . bless Thou my unbelief.”
Thank you so much for re-starting Tuesdays Unwrapped! I’m looking forward to participating again!
Beautiful post and so true. We should be able to live free knowing we are safe in the arms of our Redeemer.
Oh Emily, this is the message I needed to hear today after a weekend struggling with questions about purpose and place. Thank you!
Me too. I want to live that day too. Over and over again. Thank you.
a beautiful butterfly… and it would certainly be a beautiful day. thank goodness grace takes care of that!
and today i am thankful for tuesday… i have missed it! thank you for sharing your space and your heart
Woohoo! And amen!
That photo… your words…
Oh how I missed these unwrapped moments
That was just beautiful.
Emily – what you say here today is *exactly* what was going on for me yesterday. Your timing couldn’t be synchronized with my brain (and heart).
And I loved your black writing chair. I have no designated space, I float and flit all over the place (characteristic of my brain, I guess)….
Thanks, as always.
Wow – on your brainwave today…
wow, i really needed that kick in the butt today. thanks for sharing this.
for some reason, i feel like that sounded sarcastic, but i really mean it!
Thank you . Thank you.
I didn’t unwrap today, but I wrote about some of those harnesses that are keeping me in the past.
To take them off.
You can’t imagine how it feels to be here now reading this post of yours.
Bless you, Emily. May God bless you and your loved ones every moment of every day.
Beautifully written today, Emily. I love it. So glad Tuesdays are back, you always give me so much to think about.
On another note, my permalink never seems to work. Any idea what I’m doing wrong??
Your encouraging post today was a very sweet reminder of one of my own from days gone by. It was good for me to reflect back on today. Thank you.
I linked it here today as well…hope that’s okay to share from my archives.
Thanks for the sweet comment, Emily! Also, thanks for hosting such a great exchange. It’s so encouraging to read everyone’s thoughts and know we are not alone in this journey!
God bless.
Wow. This is something that I try so hard to do. Settled acceptance. But my stubborn earthly nature often gets in the way. Trying to live in complete faith – in theory should be easy, but not so!
that insecurity, i’m not sure i could ever let it go.
What a sweet word today!
Oh Emily, I so needed to read that today!! Thanks!
I was just sitting here thinking about something I cannot share publicly, thinking how unfair it is. How I wish things were not the way they are. And then I click over here.
Settled Acceptance. I don’t know if I can. But how nice it would be if I could live in settled acceptance. What a lovely thought. Thank you.
It is amazing how much I needed to read this today! I’ve faced a lot of doors closing in my face lately. It was becoming my focus and kept sucking me in deeper and deeper into negative thoughts. But this was a great reminder to set my focus on Jesus. Thank you!
What a beautiful reminder. Thank you, Emily!
yes!
We have the choice to have that day–I love that!
Thanks for the reminder!