The freedom found in Christ is amazing, but I am learning that there is no freedom without cost. For Christ, the freedom He gave us, cost his life, yet He rose again paving the way for us to have eternal life with Him. For us, this freedom will cost us giving up our selfish desires and pride so that we obey what His Word tells us and His Spirit nudges us.

Recently, I along with 4 others, started a new study which has a scripture to memorize each session along with other learning. This first scripture was Matthew 22:36-38. “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.'”

I have never wanted to be a selfish person. But, being as old as I am, I find all sorts of selfishness cropping up in my daily living. In spite of this selfishness and pride, I do love my Lord and Savior with all of my heart, soul and mind. For me to know the Freedom Christ offer, I need to show this love I have for Christ in how I live it out each day. Freedom has a cost for the one giving it and it then has the cost for the one receiving it in order to recognize the value of it. Living in Christ’s freedom He offers has immense joy. Watching others grow in their own walk with Christ is one of the most precious gifts one could ever receive.

Having freedom from the bondage of abuse, and now seeing others find their own freedom from their bondage is a priceless gift for me. My cost was letting my selfish pride finally surrender what I didn’t want anyone else to know about me, only to find how God was wanting to use it for His purposes. Loving the Lord seemed such a huge risk when I needed to seek my counsel/therapy. However, in so doing, I find today the gift of JOY!