Submission & Freedom
- Brittany Ulman
- Jun 20
- 3 min read
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 NIV
With a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing, words are my jam. The Lord currently has me on a remarkable journey in exploring the word “know” and its 30+ variations in the Bible, namely
“epignōsis,” as used in 2 Peter 1:2,3 & 8.
He has also laid on my heart 2 other words recently: “submit” and “freedom.” Not just for a deep-dive theological study, but a steady walk with Him discovery.
Society boasts of self-dependence and strength. Even church culture can make one feel as if we must hide our problems from others, in the event we come across as unfaithful, less Christ-like or weak. Yet, we know this is completely anti-Christ! We know we all fall short, and as a Body, we are meant to bear one another’s burdens. We also know that in our weakness, He proves strong. But somehow, we continue to fall for the enemy’s lies and try to maintain a pretty exterior, all the while our interiors crumble.
I know I fall for this lie more often than I’d like. How nonsensical! Especially since I have repeatedly experienced the freedom that comes from confession of sins and troubles. All of my healing has come from telling others about what I was going through. It has also helped me build relationships with people and witness God work out 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. It has been the freedom to which Jesus has set me free!
What continues to encourage me to pursue God in this is those He has placed around me who are open about their struggles and challenge others to be the same. Many of these people are of the younger generations, as overall they seem to be more readily vulnerable with people. No fluff, no facades. Just who they are and what their life is like.
But there have also been those older than me, most recently the TJC Board. For months now, I have struggled with panic attacks. They seemed to come out of nowhere and often happen when I’m not even anxious. Ashamed and yes, a little too self-reliant, I only told a couple people about them, and even then, not the whole story. Yet, I kept sensing the Lord say, “Be vulnerable. Let it out.” So when TJC Board President Tom Looker kindly but persistently reminded me that they as a Board are here for me, I knew what God wanted me to do.
Set me free.
Walking into that meeting, I didn’t expect to need a box of tissues, but the Lord knew that was exactly what I needed. It’s what we all need. All the time. And oftentimes it comes through the kind words, presence and prayers of siblings in Christ.
The Lord wants to set us free, to give us life abundant. And it comes at a price. The glorious price of submission.
The Lord wants to set us free, to give us life abundant. And it comes at a price. The glorious price of submission. We have a beautiful opportunity before us as generations arise who value authenticity and more people are bogged down by sin.
The harvest is ripe of those who desperately want to be set free. Will we point them to the only One who can set them free and model to them what it’s like to live a submissive, vulnerable life?
References:
English Standard Version Bible. (2001). Crossway Bibles.
コメント