Set Free in 2019

“…Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.” - Hebrews 2:8

It’s a brand new year, and that means brand new goals. We’re supposed to make goals. We’re supposed to share them. We’re supposed to stress over them. And we’re supposed to fizzle out in mid-February. No? Just me? Oh… well then.

This year is going to throw a lot of things to stress over at my face. Our next little fountain of dirty diapers and sleepless nights is due in April, and spoiler alert: parenting doesn’t work well on autopilot. Also, kids are expensive. You know what else is expensive? Home ownership. Good heavens. Especially old homes. It seems like everything is in a constant state of trying to break. As a guy who likes to have his ducks in a row, this year could be my worst nightmare.

So here’s a resolution: I’m not going to worry about it.

There’s this really cool thing about how God works: he’s in control. He doesn’t leave anything to chance. He is either going to take care of it, or He’s already taken care of it in awesome ways that we can’t yet see. So our faith comes with a little bit of trust. Imagine that.

No, not like that.

Author of Hope

God didn’t leave our salvation to chance. Christ became like us, was tempted like us, and suffered through a very real physical death, just like we all will someday. All so that our eternal life can be secured without barrier or excuse.

It’s easy to forget the gravity of that.

It’s far too easy to forget just how far Jesus has gone for us. It’s easy to get caught up in the what-ifs and maybes life loves to throw our way. It’s easy to worry and forget that God is in control. It seems like obstacles and challenges are flung at us at any moment by this thing called “bad luck” but we have a God who has placed everything under the feet of a Savior—even the power of sin and death.

But I forget. What do I do instead? I try to wrest control away from God like Jacob in the late hours of the night. Why? Because I can do better. Or something.

You know who the founder of my salvation is? Jesus. Not me. Surprise, surprise.

Christ is “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” (Hebrews 1:3) He’s got this. And all of that power—all the magnitude he wields is to “deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” (Hebrews 2:15).

No Longer Slaves

The Gospel says that we don’t have to be slaves to wondering. We don’t have to be slaves to anxiety or worry or doubt. Shackling ourselves to those bonds only serves to limit our effectiveness for the Kingdom of God. Which, by the way, is exactly what the enemy wants. He knows he can’t win. He just wants to stick a thorn in the paw of the Lion.

Here’s my challenge to you and my challenge to me for this year: BE FREE. You have my permission. Not that you need anything from me. But a million steps further and more significant: you have God’s permission to be free. Read Hebrews 2 today and remember the joy of freedom.

Be free. Because Jesus Christ who laid the foundation of the Earth and holds it together by the power of His Word has set you free.