Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of this course of action, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
- Step 12 (Original wording)
This morning as I went to access my daily readings, which I do on computer, a news clip distracted me. A Pennsylvania man surrounded by reporters tried to express how he felt about being exonerated and set free after 25 years in prison. I can't blame him for being excited and wanting to show his joy to the world. When you've been absolved of wrongdoing and fault and released from a prison, it's natural to want to tell the world. When you find yourself free from shame and blame and the chains that bound you to behavior and misery that made life hell, there is something within that needs to tell somebody. And the world is full of captive, hurting people that desire to hear the solution and see the map that leads to freedom and a life worth living.
We're not all called to preach, but if you have been set free and become a child of God, justified - absolved and exonerated - by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, you have also been commanded to let the world see the light of His love, the glory of His power and the solution found in a life surrendered to His will. The spiritual life is one of action, and part of that action is giving away what we have found. Step 12 tells us to share what we have with others. Jesus said go into the world and tell all of creation He lives and came to give life.
So whether it's sharing one on one with only a few and only when approached or writing a daily blog and preaching or everything in between and beyond, declaring the good news of freedom is something we are to do. But that is all of the process we are responsible for. We sow the seeds we were commanded to sow. Some of us scatter seed broad and wide. Some of us may place one seed carefully in one particular heart. But we need to remember that it is the Living Water and the power of the Spirit responsible for the seed's growth and not ours. We can't make the heart ground fertile and receptive. We can't make the seed take root and push tendrils toward the Son. It is not our job nor within our power. Share the solution but don't be discouraged when the seed doesn't grow. Neither take credit when it bears much fruit. The planting of the seed may be done by the sower, but the growth is due to the ground and the Creator.
Unshackled Life Ministries is grateful for every person that reads the daily Unshackled Moments and or listens to the messages. I want to thank those who have clicked "like" on something that blessed or ministered to them. It is encouraging to know that God is using this ministry to help and bless others. Please remember that if God used something from this ministry to help, encourage or bless you, it could also bless someone else. Would you help get the devotions to more people by sharing the Moments and messages that you read or listen to? Hitting the share button instead of or in addition to the like button will help us reach more people with the good news of freedom and the encouragement to live an Unshackled Life. Thank you and God bless.
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