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Aimee Smith - Rest in the Trench

Helping homeschool moms cultivate victorious rest

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Pursue Freedom

4 Jul

“It is for freedom that Christ set us free.

(Galatians 5:1a)

 

We celebrate our freedom as Americans:

Life. Liberty. Pursuit of happiness.

We celebrate our freedom as followers of Jesus:

Abundant life. Spiritual liberty. Pursuit of joy that far exceeds happiness.

Our American founding fathers believed that people had the right for this pursuit of happiness. But in Jesus, we find that our pursuit is for so much more than mere external, circumstantial happiness.

Our freedom in Jesus offers opportunity to pursue joy. Joy goes hand in hand with the rest that weary moms desire. Joy and rest are the result of walking in the freedom that only Jesus can offer.

However, as with most aspects of the Christian life, there appears to be a paradox. The freedom Jesus offers actually involves giving up your rights.

Freedom to Stop Striving

“Therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1b)

Give up you your right to perform to receive approval.

This yoke of slavery is an effort to receive hope, love, and approval through your actions. These efforts cannot bring you happiness. You are free to stay in that yoke if you prefer. But if Jesus has set you free from this yoke, find joy and rest in knowing He loves you perfectly. You are free to stop striving.

Freedom to Serve People

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13)

Give up your right to receive your own way.

The idea of the pursuit of happiness implies getting what you want. This breeds selfishness. In Jesus, you have the opportunity to give up this right. When you give up your insistence on receiving your own way, you are free to serve other people without expectation of receiving from them. You are free to serve.

Freedom to Surrender Fleshly Desire

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)

Give up your right to fix yourself.

Self-improvement and self-reliance are the American way. The problem is that they do not work. Rather than doing what you want, you are free to live how the Holy Spirit wants. He produces His fruit in you so that your selfish desires no longer have control. Those fleshly desires – habits, reactions, behaviors – that you have been trying in vain to quit? In Jesus, you are free to surrender those desires and your efforts to stop them.

As we celebrate our freedom as Americans, let us not neglect to celebrate our freedom as Believers. Celebrate your freedom by pursuing true joy and rest.

What will you give up today to pursue that freedom?

 

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aimeesmith.restinthetrench

Homeschooling... Seeking rest in chaos... Persevering through chronic illness... Tenaciously worshiping in trials... Clinging to Jesus through it all.

aimeesmith.restinthetrench
After a decade of homeschooling, I wonder if I'll After a decade of homeschooling, I wonder if I'll ever be consistent. Our homeschool story consists of one disruption after another life interruption. I often wonder, "if only I could be consistent..."
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I have discovered something far better. God is constant. He's the same yesterday, today, and forever. You see, my consistency places the weight of success or failure on my shoulders, but God hasn't asked me to produce a successful homeschool. He has called me to praise and trust Him.
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"My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises!" (Psalm 57:7)
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God's constancy overshadows my consistency, or lack thereof. So I will sing His praise, and my heart will be steadfast. That's what my family really needs anyway: Mom's steadfast heart.
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#restfulhomeschool #restinthetrench #homeschoolburnout #homeschoolprayers #homeschoolmom #homeschoolstruggles
We may not know what's ahead. . We may not know wh We may not know what's ahead.
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We may not know which direction to turn.
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But we know the One who walks with us all along the way.
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(If you aren't confident you're walking with Jesus, if you're unable to find peace, please reach out. I would love to talk with you.)
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#restfulhomeschool #homeschoolburnout #homeschoolprayers #homeschoolmom #homeschooldevotions
What if being still is a prerequisite for knowing What if being still is a prerequisite for knowing God?
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For really knowing Him. For truly believing He WILL be exalted in all the earth. For being able to relax and rest knowing all will be ok.
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"(God) says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'" Psalm 46:10
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What if the AND is really a SO?
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Be still SO you *can* know. Be still in order to KNOW. .
He is God.
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Maybe this is part of why God instructs us to rest.
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#restfulhomeschool #homeschoolprayers #homeschoolmom #homeschooldevotions #homeschoolburnout #homeschoolencouragement #homeschoolstruggles
I might have a problem. What are you reading? . #r I might have a problem. What are you reading?
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#restfulhomeschool #homeschoolmom #homeschoolbooks
Wait. . Is this the story of our entire lives righ Wait.
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Is this the story of our entire lives right now? Why do we have such desire for something beyond the current moment? What are we waiting for?
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My mind, as yours I expect,  is filled with many unanswered questions and much uncertainty. And so we wait.
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As we wait, let's keep our focus.
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Psalm 53:9 - "I will wait on Your Name for it is good."
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Wait on Jesus. He is good.
"Restore to me the JOY of your salvation." Psalm 5 "Restore to me the JOY of your salvation." Psalm 51:12a
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Every morning. I need His restoration.
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Every morning. He gives us His Word. He offers renewal. He restores our joy.
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What did you read in God's Word today?
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#restinthetrench #restfulhomeschool #homeschoolprayers
No gatherings for worship or fellowship today. Clo No gatherings for worship or fellowship today. Clouds instead of a glorious sunrise. A threat of major storms here in the southeast. Jesus, why couldn't we at least have a beautiful day? What are You trying to accomplish?
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A few minutes in Luke 24 reveals the first Easter wasn't all glorious either. People were filled with confusion, fear, and doubt.
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Women arrived at the tomb early to serve Jesus. Peter ran to the tomb only to return with confused answers. Men walking to Emmaus encountered a puzzling stranger.
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Until they each had a personal encounter with Jesus Himself. He explained the Scriptures, opened their eyes, and gave understanding to their minds.
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Jesus gave them peace, promise, and an expectation of power. .
Their world continued in unrest, but they were changed.
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How will Jesus' peace, promise, and power change us today?
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