Let Go, Let God

"So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free” John 8:36

This may not be your typical Father’s Day post, but it’s what God’s been working in my heart on this day that has always been very difficult for me.

This afternoon as I was scrolling through my Facebook and Instagram getting jealous of all the beautiful Father’s Day posts, I felt God tugging on my heart. When I finally took a break from letting social media reveal to me all the things I think I don’t have on this day, God whispered what has turned my whole world upside down.

“Katie, you can’t set someone else free if you still have yourself locked in a prison.”

Wow! We spend so much of our time holding on to and dragging around chains that have already been broken. God set us free from that life– He washed away every mistake we’ve ever made but we still see ourselves through the lens of our past. We still define ourselves by what we’ve done or what’s been done to us.

But God’s yoke is easy and His burden is light. His mercies are new every morning! He casts our sins as far as the east is from the west and He binds up every single one of our wounds.

He doesn’t see what we’ve done, He sees us through the lens of what’s been done for us–through the blood of Jesus!

When God whispered that in my heart He also showed me that when you believe in and walk in your victory and your freedom, you will set free everyone around you!

Just look at what happened when Paul and Silas were in prison (Acts 16). Their bodies may have physically been imprisoned but they didn’t have a prison mentality. They knew who they were and who Christ was and they worshiped just like they were free. Because of their worship, God not only set them free, but He set free everyone around them.

We (and I mean me included) have got to let go of our chains. To unlock the jail cell with the keys that Jesus has already given us. To unlock the mindsets that keep us stuck; that keep us victims.

I may have been abused and abandoned, hurt and mistreated by my biological father, but I am not an abused, abandoned, hurt, little girl anymore!

I am 21 years old, I am strong and successful, I am whole and healed, I have everything I need and I am not lacking in any good thing–especially love! I am not perfect, but I’m not who I was either!

On this day, this day that usually makes me sad and depressed, this day that I usually spend feeling so sorry for myself for what I don’t have, all the love I think I missed out on, I choose to let myself out of the prison that only I have been keeping myself in for so long. God already opened the door, and I’ve been sitting in there sulking for at least the past 4 years.

I choose to trade in a mentality of lack–focused on all the things that I don’t have–for one of positivity and thankfulness for what I do have. I only regret that its taken me so long to quit the pity party and start enjoying my many blessings, including a man who has chosen to be my dad for the past 14 years and loves me like I am his own.

I am not a victim of anything! I am victorious in and through Jesus and so are YOU! Walk in your victory, in your freedom, and watch how God will use you to tear down walls, shatter chains, and fling prison doors wide open for everyone around you!!

Brokenness to Beauty: Nothing is Wasted

"those who look to Him are radiant..." Psalm 34:5

Just the other night when I was home for a Basement team worship night, I caught myself staring at the disco ball hanging above the stage where Matt Pitt was speaking. This wasn't the first time that I had ever seen a disco ball--not even the first time I'd ever seen this one--but this time God used an ordinary object to teach me something extraordinary about my life that I hope someone else out there can relate to as well!

As I watched the disco ball spin slowly above the stage, emitting millions of sparkling multi-colored specks of light, I began to wonder why not just make one big mirrored ball? Why all the different little fragments? I mean, it would still shine as one, perfect, unfragmented piece. 

Right then, God spoke to my heart. It could shine as one, cohesive whole, but it wouldn't be quite as beautiful. The broken pieces that make up a disco ball are what make it shine in the unique way that sets it apart from every other type of light-giving object. The light reflecting off of the brokenness is what makes it shine.

Why the tangent about a disco ball? Because in that same way, it's our brokenness that allows God's light to shine to the world through us! Our brokenness can actually have a beautiful purpose!

Right after that, worship began and God wrecked me all over again with the song "Nothing is Wasted" by Elevation Worship. If you haven't heard it yet, you should definitely check it out! The lyrics are absolutely beautiful!

"You are loving, You are wise. There is nothing in my life You cannot revive. You are loving, You are wise. There is nothing too hard for our God...Nothing is wasted. You work all things for good."

As crazy as it may sound, this really is true! The Bible promises (and my life is proof) that nothing is wasted with God! He "causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose" Romans 8:28!

Prayer isn't wasted! "and the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up...the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" James 5:15-16.

Trials and suffering are not wasted! "...though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise" 1 Peter 1:6-7.

Not even our weaknesses are wasted! "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" 2 Corinthians 12:9. God uses them as an opportunity to show His strength!

In God's economy, absolutely NOTHING is wasted! He gives us beauty for our ashes and purpose for our pain (Isaiah 61:3). Even the things we cannot possibly imagine Him using, He uses for our good, His glory, and the saving of many lives! (Genesis 50:20).

Let go of your mistakes, failures, and all the hurt you've been through and let God work it all for good! God is in the business of making whole, complete, perfect masterpieces out of even our most broken and damaged pieces! Give God your broken pieces and let Him turn them into a masterpiece that is not only beautiful, but that also shines His love brightly and in all directions for the whole world to see!

**Looking for a place to worship, be encouraged, or just hang out with some really cool people? Check out The Basement at www.thebasementonline.com! We have a live service every Tuesday at 6:45 pm CST that you can watch on the website or attend at The Basement Studio in Trussville, AL; a ministry just for ladies that meets and streams every Thursday night; Friday night team worship and hangout; Saturday night girls' and guys' nights; Sunday night discipleship; and so much more! Come see what God is doing in Birmingham, AL and all over the world and find out how you can be a part!