“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32
Today’s Christian daily devotional
“Can you tell me what it was like for you in the Japanese prison camp?” I carefully attempt to approach the forbidden topic my family has warned me to steer clear from. But, I want to get to know my grandpa in a deeper way, to learn more his experiences and personal history.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” His stoic eyes cloud over as he turns to face the television; dodging further eye contact.
Following his lead, we both intently keep our eyes glued to a commercial for bathroom floor cleaner.
It’s hard to rehash old memories that we sometimes feel more comfortable sweeping under the rug.
I fight the urge to keep my inquisitive mouth from talking and instead reach out and touch my hurting grandfather. As I snuggle up to him, leaning into his stiff shoulder, I find a good nook and relax into it. Letting go of all my expectations and hopes for getting to know him better; I nudge him assuredly letting him know that he doesn’t need to say a thing. My grandfather’s pain is written in the way he erectly holds his withering and shrinking body.
Grandpa T was an American soldier that proudly served our country for years in the Army. His honor and service seemed awash when one day he was separated from the rest of his crew and treated like he reeked of treason.
My steely grandfather was forced to live and stay as a captive prisoner in his own country courtesy of the War Relocation Authority in 1942. He left behind all that he had in humble obedience to the orders of President Roosevelt.
To this day, my Grandfather will pass up any chance to utter a bad word about “his America”. Despite knowing that he has every right to utter more than a few.
Freedom. The word alone has such a heavy impact; it entails so much. To really understand the beauty and preciousness of it, one must experience the pains of being bound and limited.
Sometimes, as believers, it is important to remind ourselves of where we came from. This is not for the sake of digging up old wounds, but to celebrate the freedom we have received since we have come to know our Savior.
Whenever I am trying to endure a rough day, my first instinct is to recall the misery of my past. Those horrible days, nights and years were so clouded in depression, anxiety and fear.
These ferocious but familiar ‘friends’ haunted me for so long, that until I came to know Christ I actually mistook the heaviness that came with them as the unlucky plight of my pitiful life. I assumed that I was just an unfortunate person weighed down with the reality that this was just the life that I was destined to have. And I lived with this daily misery for many years.
One desperate day I reached out to the only chance I had left—I was that desperate. I finally found the nerve to call out the name of Jesus like all those “weak” people do. I became one of them. It was exhausting fighting the battles of life on my own.
In my lowest moment of despair, God answered my prayer. I learned that not only was Jesus real, He cared about me personally. Over time, He helped me to create a life that was very different than the one that I had gotten so used to living. I don’t speak with such confidence because of hearing someone else’s story; I can say this from my own actual personal experience with Jesus Christ.
Although it would have been nice to receive an overnight miracle, I must admit that my complete healing was a process that took some time. But gradually, as I followed the wisdom of John 8:32 and continued to read the word of God, His instructions in the word were my guide when I made my choices in life. Those daily, continual changes amounted to a very different person just a few years later.
The past is a wonderful reminder to me that although life can throw a curve ball that might feel like it will leave a lasting bruise; God can heal those areas if I give Him a chance to.
When someone asks about my past, I am thrilled to report that I am no longer bound with shame anymore. I have truly overcome it—and God only knows that I didn’t do it alone. Jesus was there every step of the way.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I am tired of feeling trapped in this life of mine. I want FREEDOM. I have heard many stories of many people who have come to you and have had their lives restored.
I admit, I have mocked and laughed at these people as weak. By doing this, I have set myself up to almost never including you as an option to save me from myself.
Today, I give up the lie that I am “better” than anybody. I am not. I am weak, needy, broken and destroyed. There. What can you do with that?
Jesus, save me. Save me from myself. I admit I have backed myself in a corner that I see no way out of. Show me this freedom that I have heard about from so many others. Give me shalom. I ask you to come into my life and change me from the inside out.
I am ready for whatever you have been wanting for my life. Fill me with the power of your Holy Ghost. Give me a love for your word, and the wisdom to rely on it everyday, In Jesus’ name, thank you for second chances, Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: John 8:32
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan