Butterflies and Free Spirits 9/27/08

I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be a free spirit again. Freedom has always been my song and my life creed.

"It is for freedom that we were set free, therefore do not be entangled again by a yoke of slavery!" (Gal. 5:1)

I will always have freedom!

...Freedom from sin and religion!!
...Freedom to love and to be loved!!!!

(I love that...Freedom from...and freedom TO...) :-)

Freedom is not merely the absence of restraint, but it is the ability to choose where to focus time, love, attention, etc... and on whom. This is what is so beautiful about love. It is a choice--made out of freedom.

I choose to bring myself into the flight pattern of another or to run with another. I choose to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. I choose who I want to be in covenantal relationship with.

No one can take away my choice. They could take away my life before they can take my choice.
Love has to be given freely.

And... I'll add to that...that sometimes in following the leading of the Holy Spirit, He seems to lead you away before He leads you to. (This reminds me of Hind's Feet on High Places! Oh how I wept through parts of that book--especially when the Shepherd leads Much Afraid AWAY from the High Places.) It is a strict obedience to the cross.

Even though I have a choice in my heart's desire, my first commitment is to honor God and the leading of His Holy Spirit--even if He is giving me glimpses of things to come. He has a timetable worked out. He has a plan. He doesn't leave us out of the plan, but speaks to us daily, encourages us, directs us, prompts us, blesses us, and even sometimes commands or requests of us. (Galatians 5:25)

I know for sure GOD is getting ready to launch me into a new season soon (soon in comparison to the stretching 28 years of my life)! Right now is a brief pause--as a moment of transition between movements. As with other dreams, I have always trusted Him to cross my path with my "other" exactly in the way He wisely would choose. And I've always trusted it would be GOOD!!! When I am presented with a choice (a man who invites me to choose him), I will gladly make that choice. In this moment--in having to choose between taking what I want now...or waiting for what the Spirit is going to do...I have to love and obey the Spirit first. Once I am in a flight pattern with another--the Spirit will lead us together and I will follow that lead. While we may have different roles or be away from each other at times, the Spirit will not lead us apart. We will be led together.

In the meantime, I am trusting the Spirit is leading our paths to cross and intersect perfectly, that we will recognize and choose each other, and that I will be recognized as an "other." ;-)

I just found out that I am a 7 on the Enneagram (an ancient personality profile detailing 9 personality types and their growth, development, and spirituality). 7's greatest fear is being deprived or trapped in pain. Their basic desire is to be happy, satisfied, and find fulfillment.

It is possible to be in a relationship that involves the utmost human commitment (covenant) and true "oneness" (Book of John) that God calls for when He says that two can become one--and still have perfect freedom in relationship. Freedom is not for self. Freedom is for love.

So... love gives freedom and freedom...can give love?!

Yes. It is a grand decision. And one I will look forward to making... :-)

(Gal. 5:13, I Peter 2:16)

"My heart has asked for you to crawl in, but sometimes I have resisted my heart."