Be Free
/A friend made this wooden beaded bracelet for her shop. The words “Be Free” are spelled out. That bracelet didn’t say in her shop for long because it meant something special to me.
Here’s why:
Toxic religion keeps us working and endlessly perfecting ourselves.
Following religious rules and needing to always do things right is exhausting.
Trying to be like Jesus will leave you burnt out.
PSA: You can’t be like Jesus because you aren’t Jesus. You can learn about His life and example which can inform how you live but, you can’t be Jesus. If you keep attempting to “be like Jesus” you’re setting yourself up for an endless failure cycle.
Constantly worrying about your testimony and what people are thinking of you (and God) will drive you bonkers. People goof up, end of story. God doesn’t need you to protect His reputation, He’s got that covered.
All of these things were a spiritual burden I carried. Something I thought was part of being a Christian. And why did I believe this? It’s what the church and Christian people taught me. What was preached, inferred, lived and feared became part of me, a sweet, genuine little girl growing up in a conservative Christian world.
Yes, doubt, questions, pain, uncertainty, mistakes, loss and awkwardness come when you choose to only answer to God and your own conscience instead of a pastor, family, denomination or tradition.
But freedom is always worth it. Step out of your fear and into freedom. You have permission to be go #befree.
