Galatians 5:1 Devotional on Freedom from Performing

Freedom from Performing
Your Nightly Prayer
By Lynette Kittle

TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” - Galatians 5:1

SOMETHING TO PONDER

In a world of upstaging one another, it’s easy to get caught up in a performance mentality, thinking we have to prove ourselves, be admired, gain approval, be praised, and be recognized by others so they will see us as important and invaluable. Because the world is constantly looking at us, more than ever before, through social media posts and cameras on every street corner, front door, and store check-out, some of us are endlessly trying to show that we matter in life, whether it’s through academic or professional accomplishments, financial gains, social recognition, or raising a perfect family. How many of us, even as Christians, seek high positions and places of prominence and stature, wanting to be seen as popular, savvy, sophisticated, highly influential, cool, and more?

Still, even if we do everything we can to attain accolades, rewards, and more in our lives, in the long run, it doesn’t increase our value but pulls us into constantly trying to keep up the pace of performing to be loved and appreciated. Yet, God has freely given us His love and freed us from having to prove ourselves worthy to the world and even to ourselves by giving us priceless value, through His only Son laying down His life to redeem us as His own, worth far more than anything we could achieve or gain on our own.

In Jesus, we have received freedom to be who God created us to be, to be the individuals He knit us together in the womb to be. We are made in the image of God. As Genesis 1:27 explains, we are made in the image of God. “So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.” No matter how much time and attention we put into our appearance, education, talent, and networking, because God loves us and formed us in His own image, we don’t have to prove our worth to the world; He has already done so.

True freedom comes to us through one person, and one person only, as Jesus explains in John 8:36: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Dear Father,
Thank you for freeing me from the world’s critique and value system. Help me to rest in the value and worth You have given me through Your Son, Jesus. Guard my heart and mind to stay free from the world’s rating game. Strengthen me to stand firm and keep me steadfast in following Your will and purpose for my life.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

Do you find yourself trying to impress others through your accomplishments, possessions, looks, or influence? If so, what are you hoping to gain from it?
How are you seeing yourself? Are you living free from trying to prove yourself to yourself and others? Do you believe you can make yourself more valuable than God has made you to be?
Do you feel free to be who God made you to be? If not, ask God to help you receive His freedom and the confidence that comes with being who you are.

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Royalty Free

Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.

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