Dangerous for Good, Part 3: Transformationഉദാഹരണം

Day 5: Freeing You to Become You

From The Heart of a Warrior, Michael Thompson wrote,

The freedom Christ purchased was a freedom from the penalty and presence of sin in our lives—freedom from so that we can be free to become. Free to become more, to become who we truly have in us to be. This isn’t just a good deal for us. God also benefits greatly. He gets what he wants. He gets back the desire of his heart, what he is most fiercely after: his image-bearers, his beloved children, and the chance to love them.

There is a weight to those words—in His image. We were not just created; we were crafted, formed, designed to bear the very likeness of God. The fingerprints of heaven are upon us. His breath fills our lungs. His glory is woven into the fabric of our being.

But if that is true, why do we so often feel like anything but glorious, anything but free?

Life has a way of burying the truth under layers of wounds, lies, and disappointments. The previous "Dangerous for Good" reading plans cover so much of this. The enemy knows that if we truly grasped the image we bear, who we are and who we are becoming, we would walk in a confidence that cannot be shaken, a love that cannot be stolen, and a purpose that cannot be extinguished. So the enemy whispers doubt. He distorts. He attacks the very core of who we are, our identity.

"You're not enough."
"You're unworthy."
"You have no real purpose."

And too often, we believe him, why? Because these messages don’t just come out of thin air, they are delivered by other image bearers—wounders in our life—in wounding moments that leave their mark. But God is not in the business of leaving his children marked and in the dark. He is always at work restoring, reminding, and calling us back to the truth: You are mine. You are made in my image. You carry my glory.

The process of healing, training, initiation, and validation…experiencing God’s transforming love takes time. All great works do.

But this glory entrusted to us isn’t just for us.

God didn’t imprint his likeness upon us so we could hoard it or hide it away. Such giftings are entrusted, and therefore, while giving us an affectionate dignity, ultimately, our glory is for others. This world is aching for glimpses of something real, something true—something that reminds them of home, and that something is most often a someone who can be a loving presence and a kind guide to accompany them on their journey home. If wounding happens in a moment, a healing touch, a healing voice, a healing presence does too. The enemy uses image bearers to wound; the Trinity partners with image bearers to help heal. And when we overcome and become more in our own lives, we become that presence that makes a difference. The enemy will do everything they can to keep us and others blind, bound, and believing we are anything less than what God says we are. But he does not have the final say.

God does.

If wounded hearts wound hearts, then free hearts can help free hearts. You are not just anyone. You are his. Made in his image. Called to bear his glory and offer it to others. Keep walking in that process today. You are and are becoming. You are free and are becoming more free. You are Christ-like and becoming more Christ-like. This is the good God is up to in our life.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. (Galatians 5:1 NIV)

Be Free.

As you ponder all this today, consider asking God:

Father, what lies have I believed about who I am? What false identities have I carried that are not from You?

Jesus, show me how you see me. Reveal the glory you bestowed on me that I carry simply because you love me and I am Yours.

Spirit, what is in the way of awakening my heart to walk in my true identity and then offer it to others? Who needs my help today? Who can I encourage with my presence and words today, partnering with you to dispel darkness and bring light?

If you enjoyed this reading plan, be sure to check out Part 1: Orientation and Part 2: Identity of our Dangerous for Good reading plans. Additionally, we invite you to continue your healing journey with Michael Thompson’s The Heart of a Warrior. https://www.zoweh.org/the-heart-of-a-warrior