Those guys rock. The Bible study puts me at such ease every time I go. I really would like to get Paul involved. Who knew silly songs and insightful discussions could take place within the same hour, with a group of seven college-age guys, no less. It’s not often that I find a group I fit into this easily, and I’m not going to let this one slide.
Many people talk about having a relationship with Jesus as something restrictive, something full of rules and regulations that impairs your freedom and squelches “fun.” I see it differently, though. We were designed, created by God in the beginning as perfect, in His image. We were in constant communication with God; we heard His voice and did His will at all times. Through sin, we strayed away from that; the bond between God and man was broken and we helplessly followed our now inherent sinful desires, corruptions of God’s original design and plan. We were then and are still now in bondage to our desires, incapable of breaking free from them. Each rebellious thing we do isn’t more “freeing,” instead, it’s empty and just reaffirms our slavery to our flesh and the influence of the devil. Beginning a relationship with Jesus, then, rejecting the corruptions of our sinful desires, is true, absolute freedom. It’s freedom to be how we were originally created to be, fellowshipping with Him constantly, hearing from Him, having Him reaffirm our worth and value, and glorifying Him in return. It’s freedom to live the life He created you to experience, guided one step at a time by Him. It’s freedom to experience your destiny, in the truest sense of the word. This freedom is available to anyone who wants it. It’s a gift; nothing we could ever do can restore our broken relationship with God. It’s yours for the taking.