Imagine with me that we are going on a cruise. As we set off on the ship named “Reality,” we listen to the sound of waves breaking around the boat, inviting us to sit back, relax, and enjoy a peaceful evening lounging on the deck. As the sun sets and the stars begin to twinkle above, we take the time to reflect on our lives – past, present, and future. It is a lovely evening.
After a few days of cruising, we come to port at an island. Excitement builds as we anticipate the adventures we will have that day on our excursion. The gang plank is set in place and people gather at the gate to disembark. Finally, the gate is open and we walk to shore, ready for the day ahead.
As our feet make landfall, something magical happens. Instantly each of us is returned to the age of five years old. Can you imagine? Can you remember being that age and the innocence and freedom you felt? Do you remember what it was like waiting for the weekend to come so you could ride your bike and play with your friends all day? Or swimming in the summer because you had no other responsibilities? Or being excited for your friend to receive the new latest toy because jealousy just wasn’t part of your life?
Visiting this island brings us back to a place of peace, love, laughter, joy, and healing as we remember those days of dreams, excitement, and innocence. It is a day of many, many smiles.
Now it is time to leave the island of our childhood and return to the boat of “Reality.” Heading to the island we were excited, but as we board the ship again, we now have an awareness of how things have changed in our lives. Now we carry unforgiveness, envy, hatred, and bitterness towards others. Now we limp with broken hearts and wounds from the blows life dealt us. Now we walk in fear, putting up walls to protect ourselves, even when there is no need to do so. Now we trip over the bundle of lies we believe – that we aren’t good enough or that we failed too much to be accepted by God. The weight of reality is heavy and burdensome.
What if I told you you could return to that age of innocence and freedom – that your life could be full to overflowing with peace, love, laughter, joy, and healing? You don’t have to remain heavy with burden. There is an answer – Jesus.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” (John 14:6) and “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly,” (John 10:10). Jesus IS the abundant life. He is the source of it and the path to it.
Maybe you’re thinking, “That sounds great, but I’ve been in church my whole life and I’m not experiencing a life I would describe as abundant. What am I missing?”
The first step is to seek God with ALL your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 tells us, “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” And James 4:8 promises us, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” God promises us that as we draw closer and closer to Him, we will find Him! But we can’t do it half-heartedly. We have to be all in.
Jesus assures us we are not alone in this. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you,” (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit is our Helper. He will teach us what we need to know – how to forgive, how to receive God’s forgiveness, how to be healed of all the brokenness we’ve experienced, how to let down our guard and walk in love and confidence. He’ll help us replace the lies we believe with God’s truth. And He’ll remind us of what we’ve learned as we need it!
With the power of the Holy Spirit, God is more than able to change us and bring us back to that place of freedom and innocence. We have our part to play to be set free. Our responsibility is to seek Him in His word, prayer, and worship, asking the Holy Spirit to show us what and how to change. And when we do, we will see change in our lives.
Some things are more difficult to be freed from than others, but in time Jesus can free us from all of it. Think of being five years old again and how long ago it was. It wasn’t overnight that we became weighed down by these burdens. It likely won’t be overnight that we will become completely free. Give it time and don’t rush the process. The process is just as important as the outcome. There are no shortcuts. But God promises us, “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ,” (Philippians 1:6).
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Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. ~ John 8:32
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. ~ John 8:36
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I (Jesus) have overcome the world. ~ John 16:33
Because through Jesus Christ the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. ~ Romans 8:2
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
~ Galatians 5:1
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ~ 2 Corinthians 3:17