Breathe The Free Air

There is a scene in Lord of the Rings where a King, who had been oppressed by an evil spirit, was set free.  His face changed before your eyes and you could plainly see life coming back to him.  The one who set him free said something like this:  "Breathe the free air my friend."

Breathe the free air---I have thought of that line again and again over the years and it seems to have staying power in my soul.

Jesus is all about taking people out from under oppression and allowing them to be free again.  I really believe that He rejoices like crazy when someone receives freedom from Him.  I can see Him smiling at the thought. . . .

The amazing truth that hits me today is that Jesus desires, actually desires, for us to be participants in His mandate to bring freedom to others.  This is not only a gift but a privilege and joy (though we might not always feel that way).  And sometimes the way this freedom comes is to be willing to actually, physically be there for someone else.

Here is a great quote that paints this picture for us a bit more clearly: "We are all called to live real and authentic lives.  That's what a true confession is about.  When we confess we develop a lifestyle of authenticity.  We don't use grace as a license to sin, but we know that when we do stray, there is a loving God who always invites us home.  And this grace gives us the guts to extend compassion to those who are hurting, to offer help when needed, to radically encourage those who need a word of grace.  We're all called to be Christ's ambassadors, living in such a way that we help restore people's relationships to God and each other."

Being there at the moment when someone receives freedom is like nothing else you will ever experience.  But we can't be Christ's ambassadors if we aren't willing to be there when people need us.  And that's all God is looking for--someone who is willing. . . .

Today my prayer is this:  "Jesus, help us to be people who are real.  I want to confess what is true about myself and about who you are so that I can live in freedom and help others to receive that freedom too.  I give up my striving to be perfect on the outside and living by my strength and ask that I would be given the courage to live guided by You, even if I don't know how that will change my daily life.  I'm scared to do this Lord because I sometimes fear what I don't know or what is beyond my ability to control, but I ask that you would take me nonetheless."

I have this picture in my mind of a home after a long winter and the air is stuffy and thick inside.  The first warm day of spring invites the opening of the doors to let the fresh, warm air come in and bring a newness and lightness of spirit.  This is a picture of what the Lord wants to bring into our souls and into the souls of others who need freedom.

Let the free air blow. . . . . .

BT