Happy Easter.

Happy Easter!  We are sending a big Aussie shout out to all our easter peeps in the US (get it, easter-peeps...hee, gosh I'm a dork).   We are on easter hang over.  Its now officially the day after easter and we've got withdrawals.  On a more serious note, we wish you fruitful easter egg hunts, many yummy cadbury mini and cream filled eggs, memorable family easter dinners, but most of all reflections on your freedom that was paid over 2,000 years ago.  

Freedom.  I found myself reflecting on that one thought over and over this Easter Sunday.  Because of a sacrifice I don't deserve or couldn't earn I'm free from bondage.  Free from the chains of performance.  And that is such freedom.  I struggle with performance.  You see, I'm a perfectionist at heart and I base a lot of my worth on what I can do.  But none of that matters to Christ.  I don't have to earn his love or approval.  You see, that is quite an elementary thought, but I would dare to say that very few actually live like they believe it.  I think the world would be a much different place if we did.  You see if we truly understood freedom not only would we not need to try to impress God with what we can do, but we would stop trying to SCREAM for attention from others as well.  I find that there aren't a lot people in the body of Christ who labour (or serve) out of love.  They labour to be loved.  By God.  And others.  And this is in direct conflict with 1 Thessalonians 1:3.  When members of the body (church) are striving to be noticed this only breeds disunity.  This comes from a performance based mindset.  Believing if we serve, serve, serve, someone will notice us and be impressed with what we can do.  BUT, unity comes from a mindset of KNOWING we are loved.  Realising we don't need to obtain love.  Its already been done.  Its vital as the body we live from a place of being loved not striving for attention or to be noticed.  A relationship with Christ gives us the FREEDOM to LIVE from a place of already being loved.  No performance needed.  Its already been paid.  There is nothing more I can do.  What a freeing thought!  I've heard so much on freedom over the years, especially at Easter, but for some reason it clicked today.  I've been learning so much about freedom and experiencing freedom like I never have and I'm changed.  I will never be the same.  And I don't have to prove it.  Its been done.  So on this Easter, I hope you realise your freedom.  Live out of your freedom.  It will change your life.

xoxo

erika

ps.  sorry it took so long to blog.  its been crazy lately.  but we've learned so much.  and experienced so much.  look for another blog in the next week to play catch up!