I love the imagery of chains being broken when talking about the freedom that one finds in Christ. I also love it when we share our stories of how those chains in our lives have been broken. Over the last few weeks, I’ve had the privilege to listen to a few dear friends tell their stories of how God has moved mountains in their lives to bring them to where they are today.

There’s something incredible that happens when we share our story; when we testify to what God has done in us and for us. It’s affirming. It’s encouraging. It’s challenging. I like what it says in Revelation 12,

“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”

And then the bridge to the song Overcome that is taken from this verse,

“We will overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. Everyone overcome.”

Sharing our testimony is a very real way to consistently remind ourselves that God. Is. Not. Dead. and that He is still working, he is still moving, he is still God.

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Sometimes, when the Holy Spirit convicts, it’s like a gentle reminder about what you have or haven’t done.

Other times it’s like a slap across the face saying “Wake up.”

That second one was me the other day.

Pride is a sly thing. It flatters. It makes you feel good about yourself. It tells you how awesome you are.

You want to believe it.

You don’t want to want to believe it, but you do anyway.

You start thinking, “Wow, I’m irreplaceable//Without me, none of this would be here//I keep this thing running smooth.”

Then comes a point where God steps in and says…

“I don’t need you.”

…

…

And all those thoughts, and the pedestal you’ve built for yourself comes crashing down.

What do you say then? “No, God, you’re wrong, You do need me.”?

Of course not.

He’s God. We’re not. The end.

And because He’s God and we’re not, we’re able to come back and say, “I’m sorry”.

And he says, “You’re forgiven”.

God doesn’t need you.

God doesn’t need me.

But for some reason, He wants us to draw near to and be with Him.

He wants to love on us.

And show us how to be who he has made us to be.

Pride can’t be anywhere in sight if we’re going to be who God made us to be.

Because God doesn’t need us. He wants us.

I needed to be reminded of that.
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