The Goodness of God

     Next month I'll be 47 years old, and wow, how the years have gone by so quickly. As a young girl I couldn't wait to grow up. I looked forward to making my own decisions and living my life my way, whatever that meant. I just wanted to be free and I no longer wanted to deal with spankings and punishments for being disobedient (Not that the spankings or punishments stopped me from being bad, but it was still my hope). I didn't understand then what I understand now, and that is that consequences would come with my desired freedom. I wanted to be "Free", but in growing up I found out that Freedom wasn't free at all, and that for every poor choice or decision I made there would be a "price" to pay. So I grew up and experienced my new found freedom, and it wasn't what I thought it would be. The Bible says "All things are permissible, but not all things are beneficial" (1 Corinthians 10:23), and I found that out the hard way.
     Today I look around and I see the broken hearts and shattered lives of many that are experiencing this life of freedom, or rather, lives without boundaries or restrictions, and the misery is evident. I also lived in misery and so it's not very hard to detect that same misery in others. But to think that God has provided a way out for those that are tired and that want to live a life that is filled with peace and that makes sense, and yet many continuously refuse it. Every day the hardship that is this life continues to press upon many, and they have yet to make their escape.
     But the truth is that there is a way to get out of this rat race and to let go of the misery that comes from it, and its not by way of drugs, alcohol, sex, money or the like. Getting out and finding true freedom is in accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In Him they will find all the wisdom and love and understanding they need to overcome the burden that is this world. I know all to well what Jesus can do in the life of a believer because He's done so much in mine. Pain is inevitable, but destruction is optional. We don't have to lay down and die in the name of "Freedom", but we can actually live and experience true love and light in the midst of darkness. Living with guidelines, boundaries and even restrictions is a good thing, and even necessary. Why? Because we are extremists in nature and we need someone to put the breaks on for us, and God will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Freedom isn't free, "and the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Let's live life to the fullest, Let's give God a chance. Trust me, He knows what's best for us. Be Blessed!!