Who Makes the Rules?
I sat across the table from a friend telling me she felt stuck in a job that was no longer life-giving. I stood with another friend and heard her cries for help, as she described feeling stuck in a relationship that brought more pain than joy. I listened with concern as a loved one shared feelings of guilt for living out a calling in a way that offers more flexibility than most have in their lives.
My question to each of them was this, “Who are you listening to? Who is making the rules for how you will live?”
In my own experience, there have been seasons and situations in which I felt STUCK.
Stuck in a job, relationship, financial rut, or otherwise.
When we set our focus on that one thing, whatever it is that is depleting us or bringing feelings of guilt, shame, or discomfort, of course, we feel stuck!
Who are you listening to? Who is making the rules for how you will live?
The voices we listen to are often those that are the loudest. If you are most often seeking to make your life look like that of a Hallmark movie or fit the world’s definition of success, you will fall short and feed feelings of insecurity, doubt, and shame.
If you fall into step with what is “expected” based on societal norms, seeking to live a life like those on the pages of a magazine, you will undoubtedly end up feeling like you are constantly striving, running a race with no real goal. This is not the abundant life God has for us.
It is time to come unstuck.
“Christ has set us free to live a free life. So, take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.” Galatians 5:1, MSG
Loosen the chains to the thought patterns that bind you. Find freedom in listening to God.
Fill your mind with His Word. Commit scripture to memory. Truly evaluate who you are listening to and why. Turn your ear to the One whose design and desires for your life are far greater than you could ask or imagine (Eph. 3:20). Run the race that leads to freedom, is driven by hope, and feeds your soul.
Who are you listening to? Who is making the rules for how you will live?
If your answer is anyone or anything other than God, it’s time to LET.THAT.GO.
Find freedom at the foot of the cross.
Ask God to help you see who HE is and who He made YOU to be. “Set your mind on things above.” (Col. 3:2) Let go of the rules set upon you for what life should be like. You answer to no one but God. Find rest in that. Take comfort in that. Let that be what guides your next step—always.
