He is Hope

So often, I forget that hope isn't as far away as it sometimes seems. That even in the midst of my hardest days, my ugly sinfulness, my betrayal- He is right there. And hope is at my reach. 

He is at my reach. 

And by grace, his love is right, there.

"Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.  And there I will give her her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. (Hosea 14-15)

"And I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know The Lord." (Hosea 19-20)

I am Gomer everyday in so many ways. But He still brings me into His presence, speaks out of the overflow of His love, & gives me hope- daily!

He betroths me to Him in righteousness, justice, steadfast love, mercy, & faithfulness- not because I deserve it, but because He is who He says He is! 

He is all those things. 

And He lovingly takes away my sin & shame. For I shall know Him & I am His forever. 

He is Hope.

When You Fear Freedom

The heart & mind are easily held captive. 

By thoughts. 

By actions.

By expectations. 

To this, I am no stranger. 

My thoughts aren't always pure. I often allow my desire for control to take over. 

My actions aren't always kind. I can be immature with the best of them. 

My expectations can be based on what others might see.  Rules & laws can tend to be a checklist for my self-righteousness. 

And even though, I can recognize these sins, and even though,  I'm being restored, I still have moments of captivity. I still keep certain sins hidden deeply inside- tucked safely away so nobody can see. 

I fear what my ugliness will reveal. 

I fear of ruining my self-built reputation. 

I fear disappointment. 

I fear freedom.  

And even though I know the gospel is freedom, I easily forget. I easily revert to selfishness. 

I need reminding that I have freedom in Christ- freedom to be honest.

To be real- even when it's messy.

To be loving- even when it's hard. 

To be free- even when I'm afraid. 

I need reminding that hiding my flaws affects others & not just me.

I need the real. 

We all do. 

I often wonder this- {If we continue to create a culture of perfection, will we continue to create a culture of fake Christians?} - Christians that say what their "supposed" to say and put on "Sunday-Faces," because that's just what's expected, instead of freely living in His grace, mercy, & love. 

What's the answer? 

I don't pretend to fully know, I don't pretend everyone's heart is convicted the same, but for me, it's this: 

We need to continually create a community of truth- a community that accepts honesty & extends grace. 

We need to continually create a culture that lives like His love covered it all- a culture that loves no matter what. 

Friends, His love is a love that can handle our honesty & His grace is a grace that is sufficient.  

2 Corinthians 12:9-11

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Do you fear true freedom? 

Do you fear being honest?

Do you fear disappointment?

Whatever your fears, whatever your struggles, {you can find freedom in the gospel}.

From a Savior bigger than your fears.

A Savior who perfected love & loves you. 

A Savior that lovingly continues to restore you, even through your mess. 

A Savior that sets the captive free. 

1 John 4:18

" There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."