Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Entrusted





Romans 6:17-18 “ But thanks be to God that , though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.”

It has been a crazy Christmas season. Fun, and so filled with blessings, but so very very busy. So busy in fact that when I finally take a moment to breathe, I wonder where in the world I have been. I have been here and there and everywhere, with everyone else, doing everything else, but I have been somewhat absent to myself, and absent from God.

And when I say absent from myself, I don’t mean in a selfless kind of way, that might be kind of righteous, but more in a choosing to ignore my own internal state kind of way. More in a way that chooses to ignore the convictions and sinful tendencies I might be leaning towards, and just presses forward, ignoring it all. In fact, I might even venture to say, I have been somewhat passive aggressive towards God. Kind of saying, I don’t have time for you God, and if you wanted me to have time for you, you should have give me a job in ministry. The job I want, where ministry is my full time focus, then I could focus on you. But not now…I am to busy with other things. Too busy being a slave to my own sin, and my own junk, or too lazy maybe.

Sometimes, it is just easier to be a slave. To sit in my own chains of bondage, rather than try to fight my way out of them. And the thing is, I have been set free of so many chains. For a moment I got lazy, and thought that I was home free. But unfortunately, Satan has a never ending supply of chains. Once we are set free from some, he has plenty more that He can pile on. And he will keep piling and piling away, as long as we let him.

But God says we don’t have to. We don’t have to be a slave to these things, because He has entrusted us with the gift of salvation. Not only has He given it to us, but he ENTRUSTED it to us. Entrust: to give to another for care, protection, or performance. You see, He did not just give me salvation so I could put it in my box and pull it out when I get to heaven as an entrance ticket. He gave it to me so that I could use it. He gave it to me so that I could use it. So that I don’t have to be a slave. It’s not just my key to heaven and eternal life, but the universal key that unlocks any chains of bondage that Satan wants to try and wrap around me.

Even the internal chain that has me believing that if God wanted me in ministry, I would already have a job doing it, so I might as well give up. Even the internal chain that says, no one gets anything out of what you write, quite wasting your time. The chains that tell me trying to lose weight is a pointless effort, I can’t do it. The chains that tell me not to try any more. I know that all of these things aren’t true. But yet their undercurrent runs through my thoughts time after time throughout the day. But only if I let them. I am entrusted with the key to change, the key to joy, and the key to righteousness - forgiveness, salvation, and unconditional love. Thank you Jesus, that time and time again, you set me free.

10 comments:

  1. I AM SO GLAD YOU ARE BACK! Okay, enough screaming -- but isn't it nice to know you have been so missed (especially at SDG)! This was just brutally honest - so real and good - I think tons of people will be able to relate. Speaking of chains -- you should go visit Tiffini (her post is the Cleaning one) because I think you would be fabulous for a guest post there.

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  2. Thanks Jen, I am glad too :) Missed ya'll!

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  3. Sometimes, it is just easier to be a slave. To sit in my own chains of bondage, rather than try to fight my way out of them.....so true Stephanie! so true..for me anyway!
    Yes - I would be humbled to have you share your story...you just let me know.
    thanking Him with you for freedom today

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  4. Tiffini - I am humbled by your invitation, and feel so blessed any time I am asked to share my story. I would love to any time! You just let me know when! You can send me an email if you want :)

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  5. What an awe-inspiring post! This reaches waaay back into my heart. Thank you!

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  6. Stephanie,
    So glad to hear your voice again! Your words are always so real, nothing fake here, and that's why I like your space.

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  7. Stephanie, Thanks so much for stopping by and I have been blessed by the depth of your post! Thank the Lord we serve a God that can free us of those chains as we submit to HIM. Certainly a wonderful time to work on being free as we enter a new year.

    Abundant blessings to you!

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  8. Oh, wow, I can so relate to this post! The enemy tells us that we don't matter. To shut up and give up. DON'T BELIEVE HIM. You are making a difference...keep up your ministry! You'll probably never know who you are helping. But God does.

    And yes, the more you shout out glory to Jesus, the more Satan will harass you. PRAISE LOUDER. With each new chain, each new attack, JUST PRAISE LOUDER. The reason he attacks is because you are making a difference! Keep on!

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  9. You all are such a blessing! And thank you for the reminder, I will PRAISE LOUDER TODAY!!!!! :) YAY!!!

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  10. I read the post after this one before this one... Makes a lot of sense huh?! :)

    Bondage. That has been on my mind for awhile. And I wasnt sure what chains were keeping me enslaved until you rattled some of them with your words.

    In the words of superchick, "Still here, staggering on through the impossible, we remain, I can breathe one more day. Still here."

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