Messy, But Free

The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2 Corinthians 3:17

In my early adult years, my life was messy as long as I could remember, and my journey today is still messy at times.

But God Himself called me daughter while I was still a mess. God made me feel loved, wanted, and cherished—something I never had experienced before. His calling me daughter lifted the shame of abandonment, adoption, and abuse—the shame of being the daughter who never met my parents’ expectations for a Greek girl.

Once the shame was lifted, I discovered I had the power to choose to replace my identity as “victim of the past” with my new identity as “daughter of the King.” Jesus sets you—and me—free from shame, but then we have to choose to stand up and walk out of our open prison cell, drop off our unlocked chains, and step into the future shame-free.

Of course, this is always much easier said than done, because being set free and walking in freedom are not at all the same thing. Jesus set you free, but you yourself must choose to walk in freedom, relying on His strength, His grace, and His Spirit. Ask Him how to take your steps today.

Lord, thank You for helping me to be courageous as I walk into the unknown. I’m privileged to be Your daughter, even in my mess.