Week 1: Day 1: Life is Out of Control
Updated: Apr 30, 2021
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
Galatians 5:1
PONDER: Today you are on day 1 of this new series, following the themes of the Free! Recovery Sessions. The key verse of this whole program is Galatians 5:1 as written above. We will be looking at this verse in the light of the main themes of the week. So this week the theme is "life is out of control" and the sub themes of slavery to our life controlling issues and thought patterns. As you begin, ponder the picture above and acknowledge that often as human beings, we just want to be in control, we desire to order our lives as we want and not be a slave to anyone or anything. We desire to be free! When life seems in order and controlled we often "feel" free. The trouble is we try to go about this in our own way, according to our own rebellious nature, self imposed rules or expectations. Then life takes a turn and we find our own ways do not work any more and we fail left right and center, spiraling into the vortex of blame, shame and guilt, not able to pull ourselves out. Life is now one big mess. We are now enslaved to life's circumstances, and our own often very feeble choices. So now what? Maybe the pondering you need to do today is to admit the fact that you may not have all the answers and you need another to rescue and help you!
ACTION: The Bible often calls us sheep. This verse depicts a flock of sheep, who are lost and in darkness and cannot rescue themselves, "For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness." Ezekiel 34: 11-12
Who rescues the sheep in the above passage? It might be time to admit to someone that you do need help. Admitting to God that you need His help is a really good place to start.
PRAYER: Lord, help me realize that I need you to rescue me. I have done a pretty poor job on my own and my life is out of control and I need to place it firmly under your hand of control.
CHALLENGE: Memorize Galatians 5:1 (the verse at the top of the page).