Benefits of Unpacking

Good morning, beautiful people! I trust that you had a wonderful weekend and woke up well-rested. I certainly did. I had the pleasure of spending the weekend with my closest girlfriend on this side of heaven. We laughed, talked, and reminisced all weekend — reliving some amazing times from the past, but being careful to leave those moments where they belong.

There’s something powerful about unpacking your bags and relieving your mind of its clutter. It’s so liberating! If you missed my Sunrise Sermon from yesterday, check it out here. I shared the importance of freeing yourself from things that weigh you down — something that we need to do regularly to insure that we are completely unencumbered.

Sometimes we hold onto things much longer than we should, and they have the power to tether us to the past, like a dog tied to a post. He can only go as far as his leash allows — forcing him to walk in a circle or worse — chase his tail. We’re resigned to the same fate when we allow ourselves to live in the past — chained to things that have gained power over us. Like that dog, we attempt to leave the past behind, but since we can’t let go, we circle back to it time and again. If we don’t break free, we’re doomed to live in the past — shackled. There’s hope, though, and you can free yourself from this self-imposed bondage.

So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” ~Romans 8:15

Father God, thank you for setting me free and releasing me from all those things that once weighed me down. I’m free to love, free to sing, free to praise you, and free to be me! Lord, I love the person you created and I’m so grateful that you’ve taken so much time to work on me — carefully refining me each day and beckoning me closer to you. Lord, as I draw close to you, you also draw close to me. There’s no love on Earth that can match yours. If there’s anything in my heart that’s tethering me to the past, please reveal it to me, Lord, so I can unpack it and put it to the road. I no longer choose to be a slave to fear, past hurts, or unkind thoughts. Release me from that bondage, Lord, and set your child free. If there’s anyone out there reading this prayer who can’t let go of the past, I ask that you speak to them now in a whisper or a loud gong, God. Tell them that you’re right there, show them that you care, reveal yourself to them, and hold them in your arms as only our Father can. We dearly love you, Lord and seek to know you more so that we can live a life of freedom. Amen.

Before you leave today, get ready to praise the Lord with everything that you have. My Music Monday selection is a song I heard for the first time today. It’s by Eddie James, and it’s entitled “Freedom.” May blessings abound! <3