“Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV)
I can remember many years ago when I was immersed in my life as an alcoholic and addict. I would have these brief moments where I knew what I was doing was wrong and in a roundabout way I would ask God to “free” me from this bondage I was in. But due to the disease process of addiction I did not have what it took mentally and physically to stay straight long enough for Him to “free” me. Then came an intervention and a 5 week stay at a treatment center and I slowly began to feel what it meant to be free.
As the scripture verse above says “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” So, in other words as Christians who’ve accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior we have access to this freedom thru the Holy Spirit 24/7.
For those of us with baggage from the past, getting in touch with that freedom is not always easy.
I reflect back to my early days of recovery, and the hopeless feeling I had, and as a last ditch effort I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. When I did this I felt no different, but when I started hanging around others who had experienced the transforming powers of Jesus…I would feel the freedom. During my morning prayer and devotional time…I would feel the freedom. During AA meetings…I would feel the freedom. When I talked to my sponsor…I would feel the freedom. When I got out of myself and helped others…I would feel the freedom.
During the first few years of my sobriety the “freedom feeling” was fleeting and transient. But the more effort I put toward doing the right things the longer the feeling would last.
Then I began to seriously work the 12 Steps and the “freedom feeling” from doing the “surrender or give up steps” (1 thru 3) during my morning devotional time, began to last longer into the day. Getting through the “clean-up” steps (4 thru 9) eventually opened the door to a new freedom and happiness that became the rule rather than the exception.
Continuously doing the steps, especially the “grow up & out” steps (10 thru 12), allows me to keep God in control and garbage out of my life (steps 10-11) while helping others gain access to that “freedom feeling” (step 12). Doing this a day at a time allows me to stay in touch with the Holy Spirit and feel free no matter what the circumstance. Please note…this is a process and not an event!
All of us who are on this Jesus walk have different times when we finally “arrive” to a life of freedom. And you know you’ve arrived when the “crap” of day to day living happens and instead of letting it take your freedom and joy away by creating a bad day, week, month or year…you simply have a bad moment.
If you’re struggling with your serenity right now and garbage is in your way of connecting to the Holy Spirit, I suggest you draw closer to God by increasing your morning prayer and devotional time, get closer to those who are “free,” get yourself to church and 12 Step meetings, work the steps whether you are an addict or not, and get out of yourself by helping others.
Having a permanent “freedom feeling” is a much more enjoyable way to live and as an addict I am so glad I gave up the temporary “freedom” drugs and alcohol gave me and replaced it with the eternal freedom of living a life fueled by the Spirit.
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@eaglelaunch.com
P.S. I’ve started a new consulting business as a Life and Business Coach and my website will be changing over the next couple of weeks. If you are interested in making a commitment to turn your dreams into reality, please contact me via email as I would love to be your coach!
