Good afternoon. We had a great Easter Blaster workout last Tuesday! During the workout, I reflected on the devotion and proposed a challenge for the group which I am now expanding to the larger Cross Train community. No, this is not Lent. However, in our Tuesday devotion, we studied the passage of John 8:36: “If the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed.” Christ came to set the captives free. This is exciting news. In order to receive the good news, we have to be willing to look at the bad news. We are all in bondage to something. The question each of us has to ask ourselves — what is my bondage? Is it busyness, food, alcohol, shopping, your children’s success or schedules, pain of your past, lies that the enemy has spoken over you (you are worthless, unloveable, fat, etc). Bondages take all different forms in our lives. Many times they are so familiar to us that they go unnoticed. Or, we just accept them with the phrase: “that is just how I am”.
Jesus understands our weaknesses and our tendency towards bondage. That is why he spoke the words of John 8:36. You can be free! You were not made for bondage. You are not stuck. You may feel stuck, but the truth is that Christ longs to set you free. The Lord desires to change you from the inside out and he can do it through the power of the Holy Spirit. Read that again. You do not change yourself. The Lord changes you through his power working in you. In order to live free, you have to accept that power, activate it and live through it on a daily basis.
As an act of living free, Cross Train is issuing the challenge to give up sugar for one month. This challenge will not only benefit our physical bodies but will also demonstrate that our flesh does not have mastery over us. Instead, we can take control of the flesh and live in the Spirit. As we discussed what it means to live free, it became very apparent that many of the women felt in bondage to sugar.
Will you join us for the one month challenge to give up sugar? Do not replace artificial sugar for sugar. Let’s take this opportunity to clean up our diets. There are three questions we can take the Lord in prayer:
1. What does it look like for me to give up sugar?
2. What do you desire for my physical health?
3. What would freedom look like in my life?
This challenge is not about legalism. It is between you and God. Please let me know if you will join us in this challenge. I will send out devotions to support us on the journey!
May God bless you and set you free,
Brooke Holt
Certified Take Shape for Life Health Coach