An attribute of Jesus that I've been intrigued with this past week is how He always invited people to engage in the healing process, even when their need was obvious. He asked a blind man, named Blind Bartimaues, "What do you want Me to do for you?" And of course, Blind Bartimaeus answered, "I want to regain my sight." Why did the Lord ask such an obvious question? Or, why when He approached the lame man at the Pool of Bethesda, who had been waiting for 18 years, hoping to catch the angel stirring the water, did He ask, "Do you wish to get well?" Again, another obvious question. Why did Jesus, a man whose healing ministry had a 100% success rate stop and ask questions that have seemingly obvious answers?
Isaiah 61, my life verse, says that Jesus came to "proclaim freedom for the captives (v.1)!" Jesus came for my freedom. I believe that Jesus honors our freedom and therefore, through asking a question, empowered Blind Bartimaeus to choose his freedom.
This past week, I've been inspired by some women who are choosing freedom- freedom from fear, control, low-self worth, and comparison. They modeled courage and humility as they named the deep places in their life that are in need of healing. They chose to take off the cloak of shame and guilt. Shame is the voice that says, "You didn't fail; you are a failure." You didn't make a mistake; you are a mistake!" Shame leads us to believe that our poor behavior is really flowing from who we are, which directly attacks our identity. When shame takes root in our hearts, we feel safer keeping the "broken spot" concealed. When our trust is low, anxiety is usually high. When anxiety rises, we morph into self-preservation mode, trying to protect ourselves.
It takes a safe place to expose a vulnerable place, an area that needs healing. We need safe relationships, in which no matter the size of our mistakes, safe people will boldly declare, confirm, and reveal our true identity as sons and daughters of the King of Kings. The truth of our identity in Christ renounces the lies that say "you are a failure" or "you are a mistake" or "you are unloveable."
Jesus came to set us free from the shame, guilt, fear, and self-hatred that easily entangle us. God desires for us to live from a place of His unconditional love and acceptance 100% of the time. God approaches each us asking, "What do you want me to do for you?" His perfect love frees us from the need to hide, which prevents us from responding whole-heartedly to this question. Freedom is available. Thanks to some courageous women in my life, I'm inspired to go for it with God.
Amen!!!
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