When we went to the coast for my birthday, I captured some photos of this kite surfer.
How fun does that look?
Except for the fact that the Pacific Ocean off of Oregon and Washington is cold, hence the wet suit.
And except for the fact that holding onto that kite in high winds takes a lot of muscle and upper body strength.
How often do we look at others who are living a life of freedom with envy?
While God's forgiveness from sin and bondage is a work of grace,
to walk in and maintain freedom we have to stay clothed in His righteousness, keep on His armor, clothe ourselves in love and the other fruit of His Spirit.
Maintaining freedom also requires us to be strong in the Lord, strong in His Word, and strong in obedience to Him and His ways.
Freedom is free but maintaining freedom takes some putting on, (a good study is to look up those two words, "put on" in a concordance), and some strength.
The good news?
All is grace.
Even in these things, He helps and enables us to walk in the freedom that He freely gives.
Still following,
Elizabeth
Just came from the Oregon coast & have been writing about it! Such beauty & grace there....even though, yes, it can be cold....requiring wet suits! :)
ReplyDelete"put on" .. that would be action, actually doing something. and at the same time, we "put off" that which encumbers us, weighs us down. the exchange is life lifting.. hm.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love this! Perfect image and words for the mystery of life in grace. Powerful, as always.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from The Sunday Community. It looks like you had a lot of fun. I feel like I could just step into this picture and breath in deep and smell the crisp sea air. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBlessing~
Shari
You've captured our Oregon coast beautifully! And yes, it's cold . . . but that's another story. Your words move me to consider the graces He has planted along my footpath as we walk together. You're right . . . all's grace. Blessed Sabbath!
ReplyDeletehttp://sowingseedsofgrace.wordpress.com
Such a peaceful picture. I like the thought of "putting on" freedom. Sometimes I think I take it off, or forget to put it on. So thankful for His grace that allows me to stay free from the bondage of sin.
ReplyDeleteI love the challenge to look up "put on" in the Concordance. I've added it to my To Do List and will do that later this evening.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing :)
I love your thoughts on that freedom...so captured by this surfer. The ocean looks so different than here on the East coast. I am intrigued. Beautiful. Thanks for your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love this, Elizabeth! I am currently going through a difficult time of struggle in my life. What a wonderful reminder you wrote about, especially the statement, "to walk in and maintain freedom we have to stay clothed in His righteousness, keep on His armor, clothe ourselves in love and the other fruit of His Spirit."
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you!
In His Lo♥e, Ann @ Christ in the Clouds
Beautiful, Elizabeth! Love the photo... I have friends in Portland who have talked about the coast. And I grew up beside the CA coast... so this photo makes me feel the ocean breezes! The Lord has been speaking to me to about "putting on" - his armor, his promises, his grace, his peace... too. I love that He is moving in all our hearts this way. -Pam, Apples of Gold
ReplyDeleteSo true. Wonderful food for thought and such a lovely photo on this Sweet Sunday.
ReplyDeleteIt is ironic how often we put ourselves in "prison". A good reminder to turn things over to God so He can set us free!
ReplyDeleteGood thinking, sharing as usual... and the lovely photo, also. Appreciate your consistency.
ReplyDeleteBlessings.
Amen!! Amen, Amen, Amen! Freedom... blissful and worth the daily putting on. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWe just came from the beach and yes it was cool and so nice.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great capture, and this scripture, along with your words, is so encouraging! He came to set us free!! What freedom we experience when we walk in obedience to His Word, and to His ways! Tis' true ... whom the Son sets free, is free indeed! Hope you have a week filled with blessing, Elizabeth!
ReplyDelete