Greetings!

BlogFam, 

Yes, I am jumping right on in there today!  And the answer is YES or NO!  Honestly, as I am asking you, I am asking myself this same question, giving myself the same direct choice between YES or NO.  And let me tell you why...

So, on yesterday, I had a conversation with a very dear friend who is helping me to accomplish one of my goals.  It is something that I have wanted to do for a very long time and she has been walking with me for months now as I pursue it.  And friends, it has not been easy.  Anyway, I will not disclose all of the details but I will say this.  As she was speaking to me yesterday, and as I was hearing every word she was saying as she was slick "preaching" to me, my Spirit was bearing witness to her words and internally, I kept hearing these words... SET YOURSELF FREE!

Friends, I know that this might sound strange to some of you.  But have you ever been in the midst of one conversation and inside its like you are hearing the same murmuring sentiment in your Spirit as the Holy Spirit inside of you bears witness to the words that are being spoken directly to you?  That was me on yesterday.  As she was talking, the internal dialogue was SET YOURSELF FREE!  DO YOU WANT TO BE FREE?  SET YOURSELF FREE!  DO YOU WANT TO BE FREE?  Back and forth... Repeat.  Repeat.  Repeat.

YES!  OK!  YES!  OK!  This was my response over and over and over and over until I was reminded of these words:

AND be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. [Galatians 5:1]

On yesterday, I was reminded that in order to make #TheSHIFT in my life that needs to take place or that I want to take place or that has been overdue for taking place or that will take place at some point in the future, I must accept my responsibility for my own liberation.  This verse indicates that Christ has ALREADY done the work of freeing me when it says - past tense -Christ has MADE us free.  Christ has done that work.  It is finished.  But that does not mean that I do not have to NOW make the choices necessary to be NOT entangled again with whatever yoke of bondage that keeps me from being FREE!  I believe that God wants what is God's very BEST for my life but I must take responsibility to do what I need to do in order to BE FREE in my spirit, mind, and body.

Now, I acknowledge that there are definitely principalities and powers, spiritual wickedness in high places that will always be at odds with my efforts to walk in the freedom of Christ.  These include, and are not limited to, systemic racism, gender discrimination, jealous attitudes, and ulterior motives.  However, I must stay focused on the liberation of Christ in order to address the evil threats, talk, traps, temptations, and terror that will come and by Christ and in community, WE shall overcome...someday.  BlogFam, I must keep this verse in mind...

So, as we continue this series and prepare to drive into our destiny, I pray that you will fully embrace the freedom that Christ has already given to you to dream, to prepare, to plan.  I pray that you will decide to commit to doing whatever it is you need to do to NOT be entangled again with ANY kind of yoke of bondage.  Friends, I pray that you will answer this question in the affirmative - DO YOU WANT TO BE FREE? And then WALK IN YOUR FREEDOM!  For you are already FREE to be the best YOU that you can be as a servant of the Most High and as a citizen in this world, as a volunteer at your church, as an employee on your job, as a member in your family, as a student in your class, etc.

BE ENCOURAGED!

God LOVES You and I Do Too!

Blessings, Glory, and Sunshine!

Delesslyn