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John 8:31-32 – To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
Now that spring has sprung and the ice has melted into the earth, the livestock have been released from the corral to roam the whole property once again. For two weeks prior to the final melting, they would all crowd around the gate every morning, hoping that this would be the day, only to be disappointed.
On the morning when the gate finally swung open, allowing them access to the wide-open spaces, their joy could not be contained as they ran and leapt and pranced about. It is not that their corral is tiny or even small — they have a lot of space. But being able to move out into the larger area is even better.
As I watched this display of exuberance that came with their new-found freedom, it reminded me of the joy which we, too, feel when God releases us from corrals of our own making.
There are times when, often without even realizing it, we can fall into sin that robs us of the fullness of joy that Christ desires His children to embrace — sins like hardness of heart, cynicism, bitterness, or arrogance. Such sins can begin to take root and grow, especially after repeated hurts or disappointments from the same group or person. We begin to harden our hearts to protect ourselves from further harm and pain. We distance ourselves, and we may even begin to see ourselves as better than the one or ones who have caused our grief.
But when we hold to Jesus' teachings, there comes a time when His words will confront us with the truth of what is happening within our hearts. The question is whether we will be open to the truth and be willing to embrace it and to be set free. It is not that we are not still enjoying our relationship with our Lord or that we have fallen away. Rather, these types of sin can corral off part of ourselves from the fullness of joy that Christ desires for us to have in all areas of our lives.
When we have the courage and the humility to recognize what has happened to us and to confess it to the Lord, asking His forgiveness and His healing, the gate of freedom swings wide as our spirits are refreshed and rejuvenated in His love. This allows our hearts to encompass everyone, even those who have disappointed or hurt us in devastating ways.
So today, if His teachings are revealing a truth to us in regard to an area of our lives that we may have wittingly or unwittingly corralled off, what will we do? Will we look the other way and turn a deaf ear, or choose to know the truth and allow the truth to set us free?
Prayer: Father God, thank You so much for Your Word and Your Spirit, and for the power that they have to reveal Your teachings to us. May our hearts be open and receptive to Your truth this day, and may we have the courage and humility to allow that truth to set us free in every area of our lives. In Christ's name, we ask. Amen.
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Thanks Lynne.
Great reminder, thanks, and blessings Lynne!
Thanks, Lynne, for this encouraging message.
Thanks, Lynne, for another inspiring message. Blessings and be safe.
Lynne
I have only one thing to say about your devotional… AMEN.
Blessings.
Yay, Lynn! Who else would put the way cow’s think, into their devotional! You certainly exemplify freedom in the Christian life in a few good words. Thank you.
Thank you, Lynne, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. May we soon be able to safely gambole like farm animals just released into green pastures when the quarantine is lifted. Blessings.
Thank you for your devotional, as you touched on some special truth that we need to claim and meditate on. God’s Word is indeed a lamp to our feet and a light for our path. I find the Lectionary Readings such a help every day. Blessings.
Thank you. I need to listen more to others and get housework done within a reasonable time frame. I can’t really love God if I am lazy. I will gradually increase my housework. Everything with God’s help! By the grace of God, we have Salvation.
Good morning Lynn,
The truth, that is the truth of Jesus’ words will set us free indeed.
During periods of not being able to go where we want or when we want, whether because of personal or mandated situations, we need those words of encouragement.
Thank you for writing.
Hi Lynne,
I am picturing that freedom in my mind and perhaps wishing I were with you as our temperatures are already hot… like July and August temperatures. Your writing is always compelling, and I am most appreciative.
Thanks for your devotional.
Greetings Lynne,
So good to have a devotional from you again. I could just visualize the joy your animals showed in being set free to be in the wide-open spaces again. It parallels along with the actions of how many people will be when things open up after this virus time is over. But as you have expressed in your writing, we do have great joy when we follow the teachings of Jesus and let go of grudges or bitter and belittling thoughts. Truly our walk with our Lord yields great joy, peace and comfort.
Many blessings to you for your writings.
(B.C.)
Dear Lynne
Once again, your words have touched me and came at a time that was so appropriate. During this very strange time of isolation or (being corralled) some church members with little issues have started a little kerfuffle over something which actually made me angry.
This morning I really felt that the Spirit had touched me and then read your devotional which further encouraged me and have responded to someone in kindness and even quoted you.
So thank you for sharing your faith with others. God bless.
Dear Lynne,
I love your Devotionals. I have been hurt by a longtime friend. She seems to be very critical of many things that I say or do. I have had to let this go as it was driving me crazy. I know I don’t take criticism well so that may be part of the problem. However, I did take this to God and do feel much better.
I am sorry to hear that you lost Hoss last fall. It is hard to lose a loving pet.
Thank you and please keep writing your Devotionals. I so look Forward to them.
Enjoy your many animals and stay safe.
God Bless.
Hello, Lynn!
Once more I feel compelled to write my thanks to you for your meditation.
As a person involved in reconciliation partnered with land-based healing, I quickly recognize, after the first sentence or two, that you are the writer. We learn so much from those parts of creation who are still fulfilling the role granted to them by our Creator. The Living Word still speaks through the result of the first spoken Word. You are gifted with a close proximity and engagement with creation as well as the acuity to recognize and the ability to articulate our connection with God as illustrated in that dynamic spoken Word, creation.
Once again, thank you, and keep it up!
I love how you relate the actions of animals to spiritual truth.
The story sticks with you.
Thank you.
Greetings to you Lynne, I love the imagery you describe of your livestock awaiting their release into the wider open spaces and the enjoyment even as you tell of it. It is indeed a good reminder of the sins mentioned that do keep us from a more intimate relationship with the Lord, and the fullness of joy that will indeed be missing as a result of not recognizing and going in prayer to God to ask for forgiveness.