Free to See Reality

Every day people are seeing things that are not there. They are presented with a vision of things as they are which leads them to behave in line with what they see. History is littered, however, with how people following these presentations only for wider forces to show that this was a false reality. It is not just those taken with a religious fanaticism or rabid obsession that are similarly blinded – anyone whose vision does not allow them to see love and pursue peace needs to be free to see reality.

He answered, "Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see." (John 9:25)

Safe Journey

Shalom

Freedom From Fear Fortress

It happened before – it might happen before it really hurt and that does not want to be experienced again. What if the response is negative? They don’t like it. They are not for it. What if an embarrassment is made? What happens if the finished article isn’t good enough? Constantly second-guessing, never quite certain of the now, the paralysis is set because of gear. Male or female there is something about negative forecasts that can dissuade from a position. The foundations of fortress fear crumble at the sound of love that sets people free to live above their fears.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. (1 John 4:18)

Safe Journey

Shalom

Freedom From The Prison of the Past

Wracked with guilt for what was done, continually haunted by what was never done, experiences of yesterday hold today captive. As the memories thicken and the hurt intensifies, so the suffocating choke of yesteryear prevents any ability to breathe the fresh air of the present. The keys to the jail are found in discovering that though nothing can change what has happened, it does not have to cripple today. The hope is for the power of that release to be the present of the present for those still behind the bars of the prison of the past.

My friends, I don't feel that I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. (Philippians 4:13)

Safe Journey

Shalom

Freedom When The Wise One Comes Along

Sometimes the odds may seem overwhelming and considering defeating something that has dominated for so long might seem hard to almost impossible. It is the wise one, however, who can see all there is about something so imposing and still detect the weak points. It is the wise one who exercises faith, hope and love to believe that no matter how great the odds, freedom can still be achieved. The wise one does not put trust in self to overcome, but believes one far greater than the stronghold to secure freedom.

A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust. (Proverbs 21:22)

Safe Journey

Shalom

No More Strongholds

Some things become so deep rooted in us that when they are removed the foundation of our life seems to go. It is as though such was its hold on us such a strong hold that we were indistinguishable from it. Such was its stronghold that the values of life revolved around it life itself was determined by the fortunes of that which held us. Such was the temporary nature and lacking quality of that thing that life was never fulfilling, but such was the strong hold that no freedom seemed in sight. However a wise man came along …

A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust. (Proverbs 21:22)

Safe Journey

Shalom

Break Free … from Without: External Expectations

Peer pressure has a lot to answer for. As relational beings prone to enjoy the company of others and looking to maintain the status quo in certain characters can easily get sucked up in portraying someone that fits in. The pressure to live up to people’s expectations can be oppressive and leave people cold inside without ever understanding where they can truly be themselves. The cry to break free enables people not to please people but find that place of fully realising who they are called to please.

God was pleased to trust us with his message. We didn't speak to please people, but to please God who knows our motives. (1 Thessalonians 2:4)

Safe Journey

Shalom

Break Free … From Without: Materialism

The cycle is as tragic as it is inevitable. They say it’s the thing to be wearing, the game to be playing, the phone to be using, the car to be driving, the food to be eating, etc. The pressure is on to buy it, watch it, wear it, eat it and no sooner have we bought it then it’s time to buy something else as trends change, because we’re living in a material world. Freedom from materialism lets us see the truth that life is less about what we own, and more about who we are within.

Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot. (Luke 12:15)

Safe Journey

Shalom