Early Liberty
Photo by Hanna Zhyhar on Unsplash
I don’t recall how old I was, but it was before I became a teenager and after I was writing in cursive. I visited my cousin’s church. Seemingly everyone on my maternal grandmother’s side of the family could sing. At the church all my cousins sang in the choir. They sang this song entitled, ‘My Liberty.” It was recorded by the Southeast Inspirational Choir and featured by favorite gospel artist, hands down, the incomparable Yolanda Adams. Surely at the age of 11 or 12, I didn’t fully understand what I was vibing to - but I knew it was something that resonated with me. As I’ve shared numerous times, not only was I a church girl, but I loved going to church - still do. However in that moment, I was embracing something; a reality that had yet to present or be formed. While I wasn’t expecting to “see His blessed face,” suggesting that I would be going home to glory, I was captivated by the lyrics, “But all my life, I will praise His Name.” Selah.
A lot happening over here; what about you? Our daughter has been underemployed for 18 months. And over the last six months, the institution I am employed with has been entangled in a governance nightmare. Caring for my mother who is experiencing what accompanies being 93 and the last living of her siblings is hard. My health hasn’t been as favorable as I desire - and I’ve found things that were formerly routine to take more effort than I’d like to admit. Two people close to me are battling breast cancer and prostate cancer. There is an endless amount of difficulty just in my small circle. And yet, I am convinced that my trajectory (and yours) is still being written. I refuse to allow the culmination of each of these issues to overtake and overwhelm my praise for the Most High. Because along with each of these aforementioned considerations, are miracles and testimonies that signal that God is still on the throne. During service today, one of my friends came and spoke life into me. She shared that God gave her the terminology of “renewal.” Renewal over my mind, my spirit, soul and my body. She said she heard healing for my body! Not to mention, her daughter, who is also my friend, spoke healing over my body about three weeks ago! They did not to my knowledge speak about me or what God spoke through both of them. I just stand in receiver mode…..and I will praise His Name!
Could a declaration made 50 years ago be the key ingredient to sustainability? After all, I’ve just shared a little I’ve experienced over the last 18 months. Yet at a young age, my inner (woman) connected and grabbed hold to liberty being baked into praise. No matter what is happening around us - despite what we are experiencing, we have liberty in Christ. As we settle into the freedom Jesus extended by dying on the cross, we in turn can offer Him a praise. Colossians 3:17 reminds us that, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Until we see His blessed face, let us give Him praise, amidst the joy and the pain; the light and the darkness; the wellness and sickness; the abundance and the lack; the clarity and confusion; the hope and despair. We have liberty then, now and forevermore. Praise His Holy Name!