Several months ago, we got a new to us car. This car is newer than what we are used to and comes with numerous warning lights and notifications. There is a ding that happens when the outside temperature reaches 39 degrees (not sure why that’s the number but nonetheless every time it dings someone in the car says “39!”). The front panel has a display screen that asks you if you plan on driving safely and obeying the traffic laws. I really don’t get this one, because let’s be honest, even though I hit the confirm button each day I do so knowing I will disobey at least some traffic laws. Since I view the speed limit as more of a suggestion than an actual law, me clicking the button doesn’t really mean anything. The newest warning to make itself know is one that says “service required in 15 days”, it’s been counting down since day 30. I’m interested to see what happens when I go over the number of days it’s indicating-just sayin’ it’s gonna happen.

Don’t you wish your spiritual life came with warning lights? Think about it, wouldn’t it be great if you got a message or notification saying “temptation ahead”, or “you’re near empty, time to refuel” or maybe even a ding when your heart begins to grow cold and/or distant? Unfortunately, life doesn’t work that way. Instead, it’s up to us to be aware enough to recognize our own warning signals and signs. One of the unhealthy ways I’ve discovered I deal with this is by making checklists. Not necessarily a written down list to check off, but more of a list in my head. If you are anything like me, this might be something you don’t even realize you are doing.

A few of the many things on this list include: reading your Bible, having a quiet time, praying in the right way and at the right times, going to church, maybe even serving. For me these also come with the pressure of ensuring I feel connected and my heart is tugged or pulled or convicted in some way.  The temptation for us type A people is to constantly “check in” and if things are going well, add more things by asking questions. Questions like: Did I meet everyone’s needs and expectations? Did I take advantage of every teaching lesson that presented itself today? Was I a good influence on those I interacted with? Am I being a good friend, texting, calling and checking in on those who are important in my life? Did I eat right, workout, make good financial decisions, get enough rest? Don’t even get me started on social media – and the numerous checklists that go along with that monster – did I “like” all the right posts, “share” all the right things, commenting when important or necessary? Are my posts inspirational, humorous, not harsh?

These lists while having some positive aspects, can quickly turn into living a life of bondage and slavery. Jesus died to give us freedom, to break the bonds of slavery, setting us free from the law! Romans 8:15 tells us “we didn’t receive a spirit of slavery, but a spirit of adoption”, and Galatians 5:1 says “for freedom, Christ set us free”. Knowing this, why do we insist on going back to the bonds of slavery? It reminds me of the Israelites when they were wondering in the desert and wanted to go back to Egypt (Numbers 14:2-4) and a life of slavery.  For the Israelites, it doesn’t end in the desert, slavery is something they deal with throughout the old testament. Jeremiah 34:13, Nehemiah 9:36, Esther 7:4, Lamentations 1:3  and Micah 6:4 are just a few the places we can read about their slavery problem.

Nehemiah 9:17 says “They refused to listen and did not remember your wonders you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love, and you did not abandon them.” I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to follow in their footsteps. I rather embrace the gracious and compassionate freedom that comes with knowing Jesus!

Living with Jesus leads to another way, a better way. Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest” and in Matthew 6 to stop worrying and trust in his provision. In John 6 Jesus tells us the best way to live life is by sticking with him. Saying “remain in me” several different times. These scriptures and others point us towards living a life of freedom with Jesus!

The question becomes – how do we stop this seemingly endless cycle of living in slavery and embrace lasting freedom? Jesus is the best teacher we have, so it only makes sense that we learn from him and do the things he did while he was on earth. One thing that Jesus did consistently was pray. Not only did he take time away to do so, he encouraged others to do the same. Read through the gospels and you will find time after time Jesus getting away to pray. Perhaps one of the most intriguing references to Jesus praying is in the garden before being arrested and crucified. Matthew 26:36-46 recounts that story for us. And while these few verses are loaded with teaching, let’s focus in on verse 41-“Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Do you see it – stay awake or pay attention, so that you don’t fall! It’s almost as if Jesus is saying “dudes, temptation and hard times are coming, take time now to get yourselves prepared by talking to God“.

Prayer and time away and alone with our Savior is key and shouldn’t be taken for granted. But practically speaking there are some other things we can do to get in tune with our own warning signs. We all have them, they might not ding or provide a visual reminder for us each day but they do make themselves known. They might come in the form of anxiousness, irritability, senseless rushing or an inability to focus. When you or those around start to sense these warnings bubbling up, maybe it’s time to step back and evaluate why?

Keep in mind that God is found in the whisper and quiet places, the stillness of our hearts and souls. That means we have to stop and listen! Let’s stop chasing the “feeling” and start chasing God. Let’s stop and just be with Jesus, open up his word and allow it to speak to your heart. Stop striving, stop promoting, stop trying to prove yourself worthy-because you’re not! And don’t worry that you can’t measure up because Jesus can and he’s got you! Ephesians 1:4 is the perfect place to end “For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him”. We can trust that Jesus has us now, because he has had us before the foundation of the world!