wednesday writings: finding freedom in Christ

We are busy preparing for my sister's confirmation party that's this coming Sunday. I just finished washing the windows and yesterday we spent the evening in IKEA, picking up serveware and trying to decide what kind of plates we want. Next, it's time to tackle the food and through trials find the best of what we are unsure of.

So today, I'll leave you with something I have been thinking about for the past few day: finding freedom in Jesus Christ.

At times when I go to bed, instead of falling asleep I find my mind filling up with memories. Not the kind that bring a smile on my face and an occasional chuckle out of me. Rather, my mind is filled with embarrassments and failures that I'd rather forget than ever go through again.

What is this freedom in Christ, that we hear of so often? Shouldn't freedom in Christ be like freedom of speech? That I can do whatever I want without being put into jail or experiencing any consequences? That I can say and do anything without having to feel guilty or oppressed for it?

Um, sorry, no.

In Christ, there is love. Never-ending, unconditional love. That is the freedom I find in Christ. God sees the depths of my heart - even the parts I don't know. He sees and knows the wickedness present in my heart, yet He chooses to love me. He knew my heart even before I was born, and chose to give His Son  to die on the cross for my sins. God still knows the depths of my heart and all the wickedness in there, but chooses to see my heart as pure, as I am covered with the blood of His begotten Son. He chose to die so that I could live.

Turku University, taken when I was waiting for an entrance exam interview to start. I didn't end up getting in to study.

Truly, love is the freedom I find in Christ. Because there is nothing I can do to earn His love. I am never worthy of His love, and that's the freedom. I am never worthy, yet He chooses to love me, always. I cannot do anything or be anything; His love for me is not dependent on me at all. No matter how many mistakes and embarrassing things I do, I know the Lord still loves me. I am freed from the hurtful, embarrassing memories because I know that through the good and the bad, God still loves me. He loves me with my strengths and weaknesses. He loves me as I am, not because of who I am but because of who He is.

Don't get me wrong, though. Just because God loves me no matter what I do or am doesn't mean that I can go and do the worst things and be okay with it. God still calls me to follow His commandments. There are many things I shouldn't do and say as a Christian. But now, I know I am always loved. And that changes my whole world.

on a dash of faith

It has finally come to the point where I have decided I do, in fact, want to write a blog. There are a few reasons as to why I want this. First and foremost, I have been reading blogs and been inspired by them for some years. With that, there is a growing wish in me to be able to write something that might, some day, inspire someone. Whatever it might be about, in whatever proportion the impact/inspiration.

With this blog, I hope to share bits about my life and my interests, things I have learned, and things that inspire me. I want to write about the things I love: God, food, nutrition, life, children, fashion, crafts, running, design. I also hope to improve not only my writing but also my photographing skills. All in all, I hope to discover new things about myself and the world through this blog.

It is important to note that I am a Christian and a follower of Jesus Christ; and this is reflected, I hope, in everything I do. My love for Jesus Christ is a big part of me, and His love is what makes me who I am. Because God is with me in everything, it is only natural that my faith will show in this blog, too. I am also a children's ministry worker, and I already have it in my mind to share some of the crafts and such that I find really fun to do with the kids.

And so, I am not exactly sure yet of what this blog will contain. What I do know is that all the things I will write about are things that inspire me, that I find interesting, or that are part of my life.