It’s Friday and time for another edition of Five Minute Friday with Lisa-Jo. Friday is a time when “we write for five minutes not worrying if everything is just right.” If you would like to join in the fun CLICK HERE.
PROMPT: WIDE
“Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate.” Galatians 6:14 NLT
I read the above verse this morning and it made me smile. It’s such a fitting verse to read after blogging about comparison yesterday. You can read it HERE if you missed it.
When I saw Lisa-Jo’s prompt today I immediately thought of the phrase “wide-open spaces”. I’ve seen that phrase used frequently each time I’ve read The Message translation. Eugene Peterson replaces words such as spacious and freedom with this phrase. I love it.
Here are just a couple of examples I like:
“Dear, dear Corinthians, I can’t tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn’t fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way. I’m speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!” 2 Corinthians 6:11-13
“And I’ll stride freely through wide open spaces
as I look for your truth and your wisdom” Psalm 119:45
This is what I love about a relationship with Christ. He invites each of us to enter into this wide open way of living. We no longer need to try to fit into the confining values that the world tries to tell us are important. God gives us a beautiful glimpse of a much better alternative. It’s the kind of life that doesn’t way you down, doesn’t suffocate you. You can breathe again! Today, let that truth fill up your lungs.
It’s contagious, you know.
Inhale it and then exhale out…into the lives around you.
I love that 2 Corinthians through the eyes of The Message. Definetely have to get myself a copy of that version, for a richly inspired Word. Don’t you just love how God leaves pearls for us to find that seem so fitting with what we are going through? Have a blessed weekend!
Yes, Julie! I love how alive and applicable Scripture is for us today.
OH, I did too…the wide open space of this world! I love your verses!!!
Thanks, Rebecca!
oh what a beautiful invitation He gives us! And The Message offers a fresh perspective on the familiar verses. Love it!
Yes, it’s always good for a fresh perspective.
Eileen, the opening verse you shared from Galatians is what I needed to hear this morning. I have been set free to please and glorify God. I can live as though someone let the door wide open, because that’s exactly what Jesus did.
Thank you for sharing this….. many blessings!
Lisa
It’s such a great reminder. And one I need often.
LOVE the verse and love the thought of filling up my lungs w/His word! Great post. Thanks for sharing. Happy Friday! 🙂
Thanks, Larri!
WIDE: The first image that comes into my mind is Jesus inviting me into his wide opened arms.
Beautiful image, Anne.
I love how He loves us so wide…so deep. We can’t help but open our arms in freedom….
He pursues us and never gives up on us!
Living a wide-open and spacious life, one in which you can breathe deeply, is (to me) an indication of a fear-free life. I want to keep shedding fears like peeling off too many sweaters on a day you thought would be cold, but turns out to be warm and sunny. Thanks for sharing this, Eileen!
I love that example, Jenn!
Gal 6:14… what a great and freeing verse! I needed this encouragement!
Thanks, love this.
Love the wide-open way of living in Christ you talk of! Awesomeness.