If you came over from Encouragement for Today after reading my devo, Giving God Your Not Enough, I want to welcome you! I’m so glad you are here.
Today is #livefreeThursday on the blog. Women from all over the nation are coming together today to talk and encourage each other. Grab your favorite coffee or smoothie and join us! We’re talking about: nothing holding me back.
I wish I could invite you into my living room.
I wish you could see my face when I realize a woman has just discovered it — freedom.
I wish we could sit together with the Bible between us and pray together.
I wish we could lift our hands together and praise Him for what He has done for us.
Over the past three weeks of Proverbs 31’s online Bible study of The Mended Heart, I’ve been in awe of what only God can do.
I’ve wept at the photos of women reading The Mended Heart, their Bibles open or pictures of passages underlined.
I’ve read the messages on FB and Instagram and Twitter, like this one:
It’s no longer a gentle suggestion; it’s a clear call for the burden-carrying girl to put the weight down.
Oh yeah, messages like that set my feet to dancing!
For once we grasp the truth that we are loved, made whole, treasured, challenged, compelled, marked by God, then the layers start falling away and we are no longer twisted, tangled, trapped, broken, held back, but free to discover who God knew us to be all along.
Healing is hard work. No one’s going to deny that, but we start putting the weight down and realize that those things that used to hold us back no longer hold the same power over us.
Not the past. Not the way we think. Not people. Not words.
I love the song, Nothing Holding Me Back, because it describes what happens when brave girls put those weights down to receive all God has for them.
Will you worship with me today?
Suzie
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Worshiping with you…
Woo hoo! Happy dancing feet!
Bunch of brave girls dancing. Now that’s a wonderful sight. <3
Yes, “a thousand small steps of obedience.”
Wonderful that Jesus powers every single step in the direction of freedom.
Suzie, I was just reflecting today on how much I was afraid to become a blogger. There was so much I didn’t know, the confidence in my writing was lacking, and everything felt so daunting. But now I marvel at the freedom I have experienced since beginning my writing journey. It makes me think of this line in your piece “For once we grasp the truth that we are loved, made whole, treasured, challenged, compelled, marked by God, then the layers start falling away and we are no longer twisted, tangled, trapped, broken, held back, but free to discover who God knew us to be all along.” Grasping God’s perspective of us is freeing. Thanks for your post and be blessed! – Kia P.S. See you soon. #SheSpeaks2015
“That freedom came out of a thousand small steps of obedience” – YES. That is what it takes. Daily giving up that burden, and daily taking His (very light) yoke and taking those steps.
Thank you for sharing that lovely song, too, Suzi. I’m so thankful for the cross today!
And thanks, as always, for the link up! 🙂
Delighting in His truth today!
I’m simply Blessed as I journey through the words of “The Mended Heart”. Thank-you Suzie.
Healing is hard work, but I’m so glad it’s continuing to happen in this heart of mine… in places I didn’t even realize I needed to heal. This study has been such a gift to me, Suzie. Thank you for writing The Mended Heart. I praise God for you and your obedience today, and thank Him for what He’s doing in me and in others through it. Much love being sent your way!
Julie, this means more than you know. Especially from you. Thank you!
Your image today is so perfect – such a picture of joy, freedom, and living the abundant life. And these words, “…we start putting the weight down and realize that those things that used to hold us back no longer hold the same power over us.” What an accurate description of where I’m at – I still have things that I know are holding me back, God is still working to bring healing and wholeness, but the power that these things held over me are weakening day by day. I love where the prompt led me this week, even though it was in a slightly different direction. Thanks for encouraging me to make it my own!
Much love, sweet friend,
Kamea
Kamea, there’s so much to celebrate in what you are saying. You are aware that He is healing. You are aware of those things that used to hold you back, and the power that they once held. You are aware that that power is less and less! You are growing like crazy and leading others to do the same. I’m definitely worshiping with you today. <3
Suzie,
So glad to be worshipping with you this morning – celebrating what Jesus did for me so that I could live in freedom. Praying that I will not be fooled by the enemy into ever being shackled again!
Blessings,
Bev
Bev, what a powerful statement. It doesn’t mean that we won’t be tempted or that we’ll be perfect, but my goodness we’ll be aware of what the enemy desires and yet what God offers! That’s a powerful shift in the way we think and live. I love what you had to say today. <3
Love connecting with you and the other women! Praying for a sense of God’s peace today in your life. Stopping by from Reflect.
Reading this brought tears to my eyes, Suzie. I am praising God along with you. There is nothing more beautiful than hearts being set free in His name.
I know, Abby. I appreciate you!
Thank you for your encouragement today Suzie! Love you!!
Lord, I praise you for the work being done in this life-altering book. Let it go. Send it out. Multiply it. Bless it. Help it flow. We need your rescue. Suzie, persevere and push – this is your time to shine the light of Christ until the day you dance in his glory. I cheer your heart.