Living Freely and LightlySample

Accepting Jesus’s Invitation to Live Freely and Lightly

When our family took an extended road trip around the country, we had a saying: “Heads up!” The kids often watched movies to pass the time on the long drives, but when my husband, Ryan, or I noticed a landmark or sunset, an iconic cityscape or breathtaking view out our car window, we’d call out, “Heads up!” It signaled to the kids to pause the distraction before them and glance upward to experience the beauty they might have otherwise missed.

Sometimes we need this heads-up reminder in our spiritual lives, don’t we? Perhaps you could use a friendly nudge or a new habit to help you move your focus away from what’s right in front of you and to see from a new perspective. That’s what spiritual transformation is all about. It’s a rethinking, a refilling, a renewing of the heart, mind, and soul that happens when you lift your eyes off the worries of this world to find God’s beauty, goodness, and truth right in the middle of your everyday moments. He is present, and near, and always at work; sometimes it just takes some practice to notice. But when you do, those glimpses of God’s glory remind you of who he is, what he says about you, and the purposes he has for you. They build trust, and in turn, set your soul at rest. And that’s the end goal, isn’t it? To truly live with the quiet confidence of his peace.

It is important to pause and be in awe of God—and to notice the growth that is happening inside you. Like the pencil lines on the doorframe of the pantry where we mark our kids’ heights, these little signs may feel insignificant, but as they stack up, we become more and more aware of the growth that is happening. So, my friend, heads up! There is evidence of the work of Jesus within you, and you will find the greatest joy when you celebrate this grace and use your gifts and talents for the good of others and the glory of God.

This is an invitation to live freely and lightly.

Thank you, Jesus, for the invitation to abundant life. Keep showing me the ways to recover my life, take a real rest, learn the unforced rhythms of grace, and live freely and lightly. When I’m tempted to wander and flirt with distractions that cause me to seek life from other sources, will you remind me, once again, that true satisfaction is found in you? Thank you for being a good and gracious God. May my life be used for your glory. Amen

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We adapted this Plan from the book Freely and Lightly by Emily Lex. Learn more at emilylex.com