The following is a devotion from my message series 10 Steps to Freedom. I hope these devotionals help you experience lasting freedom in Jesus!

STEP TEN: day 1         

Give back and help others experience the freedom you now have

What’s a sign that I’m truly walking in freedom? Everyone needs a signpost, a mile marker, an encouragement on the way to freedom. For so long, you’ve been stuck on a merry-go-round of misery as you take two steps forward and three steps back. You climb on the wagon just to fall right back off. After awhile, all progress begins to blur and you can begin to doubt whether you’re becoming free or whether you’re just deluding yourself (again). You need a sign post.

When you climb to the top of the mountain, you’re rewarded with a majestic view at its peak. When you run a marathon, you have a cheering crowd waiting for you at the finish line as you break through the tape. But what’s a sure sign that you’re towards the finish line of freedom? If you’ve struggled long enough, you’ll realize that you’ll might never fully be able to say you’ve ‘arrived’ at freedom this side of heaven. There’s simply too much sin in the world. You can’t let your guard down because you know you’re one bad mistake from the whole thing coming undone. Even though you might never be able to fully say you’ve ‘arrived’, you can most definitely have confidence that you’re ‘arriving’ in freedom. And that sign post should be a source of encouragement and confidence in the freedom you’re now experiencing.

So what’s that sign post that signifies you are arriving in true freedom? When you begin to give back and help others experience the freedom you now have.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. What have been some sign posts along the journey to freedom that have encouraged you with signs of real progress being made in your life?
2. Who is someone in your life that has helped you on your journey to freedom? If they have been freed from something, how has them giving back to you impacted your journey to freedom? Can you see yourself beginning to do the same to help others?

You can read other devotional entries for 10 Steps to Freedom here.