How well do you handle changes? We experience them all the time, don't we? Some are good—some are difficult, but as long as we live, change will be a part of our existence.

Warren and I are experiencing change right now. We are moving from our home in western Michigan to a nearby, but smaller, condo. As a result, we are living in the middle of a process many of you may be familiar with: sorting through everything we own and making decisions about what we move with us and what we give away. What amazes me is how much of the stuff of life we have accumulated in the past 16+ years of living here!

Yesterday our kids and grandkids were here and went through our discard pile. What fun it was to see each of them pull out of the driveway with some treasures that we will no longer need or be able to use. Our house is a little emptier today and the burden of holding and carrying stuff a little lighter.

And, as I thought about it all this morning, I was impressed with the freedom that comes from traveling light. There are many things that God wants us to be free from, aren't there?

• Freedom from anxiety is a big one for me—one that God and I are still working on together but it's a whole lot better than it used to be! That's to His credit, not mine. To quote a bit from Paul, “Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns... It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” (Philippians 4)

• Freedom from hurry is another one that I think is important to God. Jesus never appeared to be in a hurry when He was here on earth working through the plan to redeem us. Big job. Lots of demands. But no hurry. Everything was done on God's timetable and in God's way.

• Freedom from lies is big to Jesus, the very embodiment of Truth. He stated it quite memorably when He said (John 8), “If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.” Living with lies is like being bound hand and foot. Truth frees us to move with liberty and grace.

• Freedom from sin is our goal, too, isn't it? Paul, in Romans 6, says it this way, “Offer yourselves to sin, for instance, and it's your last free act. But offer yourselves to the ways of God and the freedom never quits.”

• Freedom from material possessions just may be another. Jesus taught His followers that their hearts would be where their treasure was. If we want our hearts to be set on things above as Paul tells us to do in Colossians 3, then we better make sure our treasure is not tied to this earth. Our hearts will follow our treasure.

And why is all this freedom important to God? I Peter 2:16 says in part, “Exercise your freedom by serving God.” We are free for a purpose—to serve God. If we are encumbered with material stuff, anxieties, or overfilled schedules or if we are living with lies or sin, we are not available to our Lord and Master. Being free means being ready to be used. The older I get, freedom for that usefulness becomes a more and more compelling goal.

Now, speaking of change, I have another that I would like to announce with this letter: We are changing formats. This will be the last letter that I send to you by e-mail. In an effort to stay more up-to-date with current delivery systems (short of Twitter, that is!), I am going to activate the blog on my website. So, beginning in July, please go to my website (www.beverlyvankampen.com) then click on the blog tab and you will find postings that I hope will be of interest and of help. If you have any questions about this access, please e-mail me at beverly@beverlyvankampen.com.

Have a great summer. It is upon us beautifully in Michigan right now. I hope that, wherever you are, you are enjoying some sunshine and warmth!

Blessings,

Bev
http://www.beverlyvankampen.com

NOTE: All scriptural quotes are from The Message.