Presence Devotion #12

Life to the full

Heidi Waddell

Scripture

John 10:10

Jesus came so that we may have life and life to the full.

Insight

There is a bird born in a cage. It lives its whole life inside this cage, never knowing any other reality. It believes that it is free, because it has never known true freedom – never known that a greater world exists beyond the limits of its prison. How then does it respond when the door on the cage is opened and it observes a new place; a place called Freedom?

In the book of John, a crippled man sat for thirty-eight years by the healing pool of Bethesda. When Jesus saw him, he asked: “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:6). It seemed rather absurd that this man should have sat for so many years beside the resolution to his problem without stepping in and claiming his freedom. He made excuses, when in reality, it was his fear of the unknown which held him back.

It can be a frightening thing, stepping into the newness, wholeness and freedom made available to us. We begin to move in a place that we do not understand, a place that we have no control over. We need to see that God’s presence is filling this place over. His hand is over the Kingdom. ‘Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom’ (2 Cor 3:17). ‘Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths’ (Prov 3:5-6). He is there. He has gone before you. Hand over your fears to Him and He will guide you. He will not abandon you once you have stepped out of the cage.

We may resist letting go of the old, familiar life, because it first of all seems absurd by worldly ideals to stand in a converse kingdom culture. We may feel exposed and alone. Then, commonly, we love the sense of security we had in our old ways, so we return, or look back. But there is no true earthly security. Our only security is trusting in the name of Jesus.

Lot’s wife turned into a pillar of salt when she hesitated and looked back (Gen 19:26). They were being offered freedom, but her reluctance taught us a valuable lesson. Once we have been renewed we cannot return to the old self. We have been made new in Christ. Do you regret your decision to follow Him? Once we have received the revelation of His presence in our lives, to turn back and look with regret at our old and sinful ways is to return to Egypt.

Neither are you a victim of your circumstances. On the contrary, you are a child of the Most High, you are a renewed being. Do not live any longer as though you are broken or caged. Live in newness. Cast off the old self and do not look back at it with regret. Let the old mentality die and take upon you a renewed mind and spirit which walks in fullness and confidence in Christ Jesus.

Reflective Questions

What desires, visions and opportunities has God placed in your heart?
What might your ‘cage’ be that keeps you from pursuing these things?
What can you do next to move closer to freedom in Him?