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

Devotion

God offers us freedom. Are you thankful for that? I am becoming increasingly appreciative that God sent his only Son, so we can be free from sin and live a life of freedom. Are you like me and let the weight of sin, shame, guilt, shoulda/couldas weigh you down? We don’t have to live weighed down! Christ died on a cross, paying the price for all of our “stuff.” I heard about it in church and conversations with Christian friends for so long, but I couldn’t comprehend it. In the last few years, it has started to sink in, and little by little, I’m learning to release the things that weigh me down and give them to the Lord…and let me tell you IT FEELS GOOD!

I am a recovering perfectionist. The guilt and shame of not measuring up has tripped me up most of my life. I know only God is perfect in my head, but for some reason I put the pressure on myself for too many years to do everything perfectly. When I don’t, man, it can set me back for days (or longer). I relive the “mess up” over and over in my head. Others may tell me, “It’s ok, no one’s perfect.” I hear it and nod my head, but inside it’s on repeat.

About seven years ago, God started me on this journey to show me, gently and lovingly, I’m not perfect. I’m not God, and I never will be. It took him taking me out of my comfort zone to open my eyes to a new way to see him and his love for me. In October of 2017, God took me to prison. There are so many things I can say about this journey but I’ll focus on one thing–freedom. I thought I’d see people, first and foremost, that I wouldn’t like—they would either be horrible people or so weighed down by their sin and shame they would be depressed and drab. I saw quite the opposite. I met a group of men who would change my life and show me what freedom in Christ really means. They were truly free and accepted that Jesus died on a cross so we wouldn’t be weighed down by our sin and shame anymore. We can forgive ourselves because God has forgiven us.

I’m currently working on my first step study with Celebrate Recovery (CR). Most who know me, know that worshiping in prison is my absolute favorite, but now worshiping at CR is a close second! People who have been to the bottom, recognize their inability to save themselves, and acknowledge their need for God in their lives daily (sometimes minute by minute) have a different way of worshiping. It’s raw, authentic, beautiful, and powerful. 

As I’ve been working through the steps of recovery, God continues to show me the ways I have held onto things in my past and the present that I don’t need to hold onto. I can give them to him (“Cast all your cares on him, for he cares about you.” I Peter 5:7). As Galations 5:1 states, Christ has set us free—we don’t need to be burdened by our sins. Matthew 11:30 says it this way: “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Let’s not be burdened by a yoke of slavery, instead let’s live in the freedom that Christ intended!

Ask him to show you where you have been carrying things you aren’t meant to carry. He will reveal things to you, and you can give them to him one by one. It’s a daily process not to take them back, but I am enjoying walking a little lighter each day. I’m starting to experience the freedom I see in the men and women in our prison services and in people in recovery who experience God just a little deeper and more personally than I have in the past. I love this freedom journey he has me on!

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to die on a cross so we might live in freedom. Thank you for your gentleness and loving kindness as you teach us and guide us daily to live more like you. May we continue to seek you and your direction, give up the things that weigh us down, and, instead, rest in your loving arms. Amen

Tammy Baskind
Prison Volunteer Coordinator

Resources

• Listen to Who You Say I Am by Hillsong Worship.
• Listen to Jesus Is Alive by Crossings Venue Worship.
• Watch the sermon Christ Sets Us Free to Be Free from Pastor Marq Youngblood.

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