Our power was out for several hours the other night, and the crew didn’t leave our block until just after midnight. I slipped out of bed to turn off the kitchen light (which was on when we lost power). I groaned when I noticed my blinking alarm clock, so I reset it with the correct time before crawling back into bed.
For a solid week, we were slaves to the clock. We raced out the door, impatiently herding kids and barking our imminent tardiness at one another. Then, out of breath and frantic, we would discover we weren’t late after all.
Eventually, after several days of crazy, it occurred to us that my alarm clock (the closest clock to our garage door and the one we frequently check before heading off to work, the bus stop, or baseball practice) was 12 min fast.
Oh.
We’d set our daily life to a clock that told a lie.
Right after my youngest was born, I found myself in a similar, hurried place of defeat. However hard I worked, I felt like I was sinking. I knew in the deepest part of my heart that not only was I failing, but I was a failure.
I will never forget the night God spoke into that place of shame and whispered, “What if that’s not true?” I had never invited Him to speak into that corner where “failure” was stamped across my heart in the harsh red ink of disapproval. Not until that night.
As His Word flung my eyes wide open, I realized I was living a lie, stuck in an endless race trying to free myself when Jesus had already set me free. The Word of God is always working to pull me back into the arms of God whenever I stray away. His Truth illuminates my hopelessness, doubt, fear, and shame like a flashlight in the dark.
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
Are you living the lie…
That you’re alone?
That this situation is too messy, too big for God to get involved?
That things will never change?
That you’ll never change?
That you can comfort yourself, heal your own pain, meet all your own needs?
That you’re not enough?
That you need to try just a little harder?
That nobody sees you, understands you, cares about you?
That God’s forgotten you or is holding out on you?
That your future is up to you?
That you need to earn God’s love?
That your choices disqualify you?
Living a lie keeps us from living free. Though we may try to earn or grab or perform to receive our freedom, this precious gift is our inheritance as sons and daughters of the living God. It’s ours, free and clear through Jesus.
“So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36
Let God speak His truth over you. Celebrate that you are His! Don’t waste one more day living a lie.
