Breaking Free: Embracing God's Call Beyond Limitations
Summary
Today, I explored the theme of breaking free from the limitations we often impose on ourselves, which I've termed "boxes." These boxes are the unnecessary burdens, expectations, and societal norms that hinder our spiritual and personal growth. I began by discussing the tyranny of the "shoulds," which are the often unspoken rules that govern our lives, causing stress, anxiety, and depression when we fail to meet them. I emphasized that while some "shoulds" are beneficial, like adhering to God's word, many are not and need to be critically evaluated.
I then shared the story of Jeremiah, a young man called by God to be a prophet, who had to break free from the expected path of becoming a priest like his father. This story from Jeremiah 1 highlights the importance of following God's unique call for us, despite societal or familial expectations.
I also shared personal testimonies and stories from our community, illustrating how breaking these boxes has led to profound spiritual renewal and freedom. For instance, I spoke about my own journey of breaking free from cultural and personal expectations to pursue God's call, and how this has manifested in our church's growth and outreach efforts.
Furthermore, I delved into the historical context of the Israelites in Babylon, as described in Jeremiah 29. I explained how they were instructed to build lives in captivity, yet were also promised a return to their homeland. This duality underscores the theme of thriving within imposed limits while anticipating divine deliverance.
Lastly, I shared the inspiring story of Gladys Aylward, a missionary to China, whose life was a testament to breaking societal and personal boxes. Despite initial rejections and immense challenges, her steadfast faith and obedience to God's calling led to significant impacts in many lives.
### Key Takeaways:
1. The Tyranny of the 'Shoulds' - Many of our daily stresses stem from self-imposed "shoulds" that do not align with God's desires for us. By identifying and challenging these unnecessary burdens, we can find greater peace and fulfillment in our lives. This freedom allows us to live more authentically in faith and purpose. [12:19]
2. Jeremiah's Call - Jeremiah's life reminds us that God's plans for us can dramatically diverge from human expectations. Embracing God's call, as Jeremiah did, requires courage to break free from conventional paths and pursue divine purposes, even when they seem daunting or unclear. [17:21]
3. Building in Babylon - The directive given to the Israelites in Babylon to build homes and live well, even in captivity, teaches us about thriving within our circumstances. While we await God's deliverance or next steps, we are to cultivate faithfulness and contribute positively to our surroundings. [20:21]
4. Gladys Aylward's Mission - Gladys' story is a powerful example of how breaking societal and personal limitations can lead to extraordinary lives of service and impact. Her determination and faith highlight the importance of following God's call, regardless of the obstacles or opposition we might face. [45:17]
5. Community and Restoration - The return of only a small fraction of Jews to Jerusalem after the exile illustrates the challenge of leaving comfort zones. It serves as a metaphor for our spiritual journeys, where breaking free from comfortable but limiting "boxes" can lead to significant spiritual renewal and communal restoration. [29:30]
### Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [12:19] - The Tyranny of the 'Shoulds'
- [17:21] - Jeremiah's Call to Break Free
- [20:21] - Building Lives in Babylon
- [29:30] - A Small Return: Lessons from the Exile
- [45:17] - Gladys Aylward's Missionary Journey
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Jeremiah 1:4-8 (NIV)
> The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
2. Jeremiah 29:4-7 (NIV)
> This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
3. Jeremiah 29:10-14 (NIV)
> This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
### Observation Questions
1. What was Jeremiah's initial reaction to God's call, and how did God respond to his concerns? (Jeremiah 1:4-8)
2. What instructions did God give to the Israelites in Babylon through Jeremiah's letter? (Jeremiah 29:4-7)
3. According to Jeremiah 29:10-14, what promises did God make to the Israelites regarding their future?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jeremiah felt unqualified for God's call, and how does God's response address common fears about stepping out in faith? (Jeremiah 1:4-8) [17:21]
2. How does the directive to "build houses and settle down" in Babylon reflect God's plan for the Israelites during their exile? What might this teach us about thriving in difficult circumstances? (Jeremiah 29:4-7) [20:21]
3. What is the significance of God's promise in Jeremiah 29:11, especially considering the context of the Israelites' exile? How does this promise apply to our lives today? (Jeremiah 29:10-14) [25:08]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unqualified or too young for a task God called you to. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can Jeremiah's story encourage you to step out in faith? [17:21]
2. Identify a "box" in your life that you feel is limiting your spiritual growth. What steps can you take to break free from this box and follow God's unique call for you? [12:19]
3. How can you apply the principle of "building in Babylon" to your current life situation? What are some practical ways you can thrive and contribute positively to your surroundings, even if you feel like you are in a challenging season? [20:21]
4. Gladys Aylward's story is a powerful example of breaking societal and personal limitations. What societal or personal limitations do you feel called to break, and how can you take the first step towards this? [45:17]
5. The return of only a small fraction of Jews to Jerusalem after the exile illustrates the challenge of leaving comfort zones. What comfort zone are you currently in that God might be calling you to leave? How can you prepare yourself to take that step? [29:30]
6. Reflect on the "tyranny of the shoulds" in your life. What are some "shoulds" that cause you stress and do not align with God's desires for you? How can you begin to challenge and let go of these unnecessary burdens? [12:19]
7. How can you support others in your community who are trying to break free from their own "boxes"? What role can you play in encouraging and helping them to follow God's unique call for their lives? [49:38]
Devotional
Day 1: Challenging the 'Shoulds' in Our Lives
Often, we carry burdens that God never intended for us to bear, leading to unnecessary stress and anxiety. It's crucial to discern which expectations are truly from God and which are imposed by society or ourselves. This discernment can liberate us, allowing us to live more authentically in alignment with God's purposes. By identifying and challenging these "shoulds," we can embrace a life of greater peace and fulfillment, focusing on what truly matters. This freedom is not just about shedding unnecessary burdens but also about embracing the life that God has uniquely designed for each of us. [12:19]
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV): "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Reflection: What are some "shoulds" in your life that you have accepted without question? How can you begin to let go of these to embrace the freedom Christ offers?
Day 2: Embracing God's Unique Call for Us
Jeremiah's life exemplifies the courage required to break free from conventional paths and embrace God's unique plan. Despite the expectations to follow in his familial footsteps, Jeremiah answered God's call to be a prophet, which dramatically diverged from societal norms. This act of faith reminds us that God's plans can often lead us away from familiar territories into roles that fulfill His divine purposes. Embracing this can be daunting but ultimately rewarding as we align more closely with God's will for our lives. [17:21]
Jeremiah 1:4-5 (ESV): "Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.'"
Reflection: In what ways might God be calling you to break away from conventional expectations to fulfill a unique role He has for you?
Day 3: Thriving Within Our Circumstances
The directive given to the Israelites in Babylon was to build homes and live well, even in captivity. This teaches us about thriving within our circumstances, cultivating faithfulness, and contributing positively to our surroundings while awaiting God's deliverance. It's a powerful reminder that our current situations should not deter us from living purposefully and growing spiritually. We are called to make the most of where we are, trusting that God has a plan for our lives, even in the most challenging times. [20:21]
Jeremiah 29:5-7 (ESV): "Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters;...seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."
Reflection: How can you contribute positively to your current environment, even if it feels like a place of 'exile' or limitation?
Day 4: Following God Against All Odds
Gladys Aylward's missionary journey is a testament to the impact one can have when following God's call, regardless of the obstacles. Despite facing rejections and immense challenges, her steadfast faith and obedience led to significant impacts in many lives. Her story encourages us to persevere in our faith journey, even when faced with opposition or daunting challenges, trusting that God will use our obedience for greater purposes. [45:17]
Hebrews 11:8 (ESV): "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going."
Reflection: What are some challenges or oppositions you face that might be hindering you from fully embracing God's call in your life?
Day 5: The Challenge of Leaving Comfort Zones
The return of only a small fraction of Jews to Jerusalem after the exile serves as a metaphor for our spiritual journeys. Often, breaking free from comfortable but limiting "boxes" can lead to significant spiritual renewal and communal restoration. This day encourages us to step out of our comfort zones and embrace the changes God calls us to, which, though uncomfortable, can lead to profound spiritual growth and community enhancement. [29:30]
Ezra 1:5 (ESV): "Then rose up the heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem."
Reflection: What comfort zone is God asking you to step out of, and what might be the first step in that journey?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "There's this theory in counseling called the tyranny of the shoulds. And the tyranny of the shoulds, you may have heard of this, it's based on the premise that most people's anxiety and depression and stress comes from this underwritten, these underwritten shoulds. Their boundaries, their boxes. And sometimes people will walk through their entire life carrying the burden of the shoulds, and they don't even pause to ask themselves, like, this doesn't even align with God's word. This doesn't align with my values. Yet I am so stressed all the time because I should not be still grieving. I should be able to be 70 but look 40. I should be able to accomplish way more than I can accomplish. I should do this. I shouldn't be doing this by this age, but I should have done it by that age." [12:19]
2. "God-sized purposes don't fit inside man-made boxes. So until we break off the limits that God never gave us, maybe people placed on us, maybe bad theology, we cannot step into what God wants to give us." [15:23]
3. "God is still good when we're in exile. And when we're suffering the consequences of our bad decisions, God is still good there, too. And He wants to lead us back into where He's taken us, and He's with us in the middle of it." [25:08]
### Quotes for Members
1. "God desires to show his glory to the world. So whenever we say, oh, I'll do this and I'll do that. And God wants to do so much more than that. It takes a broken vessel that's been thrown out on the potter's wheel. And he wants to form something. Something that only he can do. So that he can show the world his glory. And it will never fit in our little man-made boxes." [15:23]
2. "Jeremiah chapter 1, verse 1. Wait. I said verse 1, but I didn't put it down. These are the words of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, one of the priests from the town of Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. The Lord first gave messengers to Jeremiah during the 13th year of the reign of Josiah, son of Ammon, king of Judah. The Lord's messages continued throughout the reign of King Jehoiakim, Josiah's son, until the 11th year of the reign of King Zedekiah, another of Josiah's sons. In August of that 11th year, the people of Jerusalem were taken away as captives. Okay, the Lord gave me this message. I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations. Oh, sovereign Lord, I said, I can't speak for you. I'm too young. The Lord replied, don't say I'm too young, for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don't be afraid of the people. For I will. I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken." [17:21]
3. "Now, that's a pretty radical message to send to the Jews while they were living in sin. And that's why they were sent into exile. They're, they, they know their Jewish rules. And Jeremiah is telling them settle into this city. Pray for its prosperity. Its prosperity is your prosperity. Basically get comfortable there. Get you a house, start a business, have some kids like you're going to be there." [20:21]
4. "It was because now they were comfortable in a new box, right? They had settled in. They had their businesses. They had their children, you know. They had their 10-year plans. And so it's estimated that that was about 40,000 to 50,000 Jews. And that was 5% of the nation that went back. So it was somewhere around a million Jews total. And 5% returned. That's crazy. only 5%. Why? Probably because it would have taken breaking a very deeply rooted box. It would have taken smushing some life expectations. It would have taken breaking off some comfortability." [29:30]
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