“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

There is so much truth in this verse that I often missed as a new believer. When singing the popular song based on this verse, I would get annoyed with the repetition. My head filled with criticisms like, “no duh, we were set free for freedom. I get it. Shut up already! Time to move on!” One day though, it finally clicked. I wasn’t set free to be perfect. I wasn’t set free to perform or to make God happy. I wasn’t set free for anything other than freedom – that’s how much Jesus loved me. My freedom, no matter what I chose to do with it, was the gift He died to give me.

After that day, freedom became so precious to me, and I wished other people could see what I saw in this verse. I wanted everyone to be as excited about this gift as I was. But, in my excitement, I neglected the whole second half of the verse. Every time I would mess up, fall back into sin, or be harsh with someone, I would feel worthless. To me, freedom still meant I had to be perfect. Freedom was fragile and had to be guarded carefully, or it would break. Anytime I failed to stand firm, I became a failure. And of course, that is exactly what the enemy wanted me to believe. I messed up, so now my freedom was gone and Jesus couldn’t possibly love me. What a heartbreaking lie!

Today, I am learning that while freedom is precious, it isn’t fragile. I may fail to stand firm, but I still have a choice. Galatians asks me, will you choose to submit only to Christ, and not to slavery? When I fail to stand firm, I don’t have to give up! Satan may back me down a few steps from the summit, but slavery is in the valley. I refuse to back there.

~Elle Humes

I graduated college last May and felt very accomplished…for about an hour. Almost as soon as we finished taking pictures and moving out, people began to ask me “well, what are you going to do now?” I imagine most people were genuinely interested in my life and wanted to connect with me; but as someone with a chronic illness, answering this question became more and more difficult. The truth is, I’m not up to much. Not much that people can see anyway.

I believe God often takes people through a time of great trial before they can be ready for what He has in store. He took Jesus into the wilderness, He takes our staff through support raising, and He might take you to LT this summer. Only Jesus knows exactly how to shape you for your specific purpose. I don’t know why my wilderness has to be poor health, but it is, and I have been asked to share my journey with you, NLCFers!

This week I am beginning to talk with God about how to learn patience. I know I am going to have to use a lot of it in this season. I know it’s important. But I don’t know how to become patient. When I think of patience, I think of a mom teaching her kids to read. What do you think about? Do you know anyone who is extraordinarily patient?

~Elle Humes
2017 NLCF Alum