Freedom To Be Fearless

I recently returned from a fantastic week-long church camp up in the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can’t ask for more than a beautiful location, fun activities, and powerful teaching alongside friends! I had a blast getting to know more people in my youth group, staying up late for deep discussions, and playing spontaneous volleyball games! One of my favorite parts of the camp experience was the daily sessions. The overarching theme for the week was adoption as sons and daughters of Christ brings belonging. I learned that belonging to Christ empowers us to live boldly and practically applies to our daily life.

We long to known, cherished, and valued, and we often search for belonging in relationships, academics, athletics, etc.; yet the only place where we will find true belonging is in Christ. He completes us and satisfies our desire to be belong with an overwhelming love that will never falter. He meets us where we are with open arms. Belonging to Christ provides freedom from chasing after the acceptance of others, because we have already secured the ultimate approval – God’s approval.

My biggest takeaway was that belonging to Christ fulfills our longing to be loved and our desire to have identity. It sets us free from the struggle for acceptance so we can live out our identity in Christ. This truth applies to our everyday, allowing us to walk into any setting with a mindset of complete ease and joy; we don’t need to worry about fitting in or impressing anyone, for we find our value in Christ.

An illustration is simply the experience of walking into room full of girls you don’t know. As we scan the room, thoughts of insecurity and worry flood through our minds: we’re terrified of what other girls will think us of, if we will fit in, and what will happen if we don’t fit in. When our perspective is shifted by God’s grace, we can change that worry into assurance – assurance in the fact that if we trust in Christ, we belong to Him. Be encouraged that belonging to Christ is enough, His love satisfies.

When we surrender the reins of our life to Christ, He assures us that we belong and points us towards the cross. Abiding in the Him enables us to love others from an outpouring of His grace. We now live not for God’s approval, but from God’s approval.

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – Galations 2:20

Warmly,

Seabrook