What I kept locked up was opposite to the door being opened at the bakery. When I choose to not keep myself locked up meant I was about to make a choice that could cost me my life.
I made a choice and that choice was based on the heat of the moment and my ability to rely on others to be there for me, to defend and protect me or so I thought.
It was at the peak of the summer where the heat was overwhelming to say the least. I decided it was time to let the heat out and the cool breeze of the night come in to cool me off.
In this situation, it was my choice to not be kept locked up. I went to the back of the bakery. I opened the door and looked outside nothing was out there, so I propped the door open.
When I opened the back door of the bakery I put myself in a vulnerable situation by doing such.
The Younger Years
At a young age, I didn’t open the door. I was young and naive. I trusted because, I didn’t know I shouldn’t especially, when it came to others and their motives.
My World
As a young child I was always conjuring up ideas on how to change my world. I dreamed of escaping to the Neverlands much like Peter Pan, I dreamed of having a treehouse. I loved nature so much I would flee to our small little forest all to escape my life that was full of responsibilities.
Although, I’ve progressed quite a bit since then. I’m now formulating my life experiences as a daughter of a baker. I will have more complex stories to share. I hope that you too will share your story.
Locked Up
It was around age seven when I played outside with all the neighborhood kids. There’s nothing odd or strange about that even to this day. I played with these kids all the time. What would make this time any different?
The time and day is unknown to this day. But, that does not really matter at this point. This was the day I followed these kids up and into a parked van. I recall only so much, I remember undressing, being touched and lights flashing.
Some time had passed when I heard my mom frantically yelling for me yet, I couldn’t respond. Eventually, when I was released, I returned home. I was asked why I did not come when called. Needless to say, I didn’t say why or shared what transpired. I did have to pay the consequences of being disobedient.
What is a little girl to do when it comes to a horrific event? Call for help!
Follow Me!
When the following seems unfair. yet I’m to be totally available, fully committed with no apron strings attached, you’re asking me to follow you, why me? Following Christ is an individual matter because our Lord saves us individually. He speaks to us and directs us individually.
God puts us through an experience that seems terribly demanding, even humiliating. It’s the walk, I must walk and committed to take the next step.
I had to stop looking around for equality, I had to stop concerning myself with the need of others. Or, even what I have been called to endure. God choose the role I needed to play and my part is unique.
Youth Locked Up
God has called me to a difficult and demanding mission field. He is leading me to live sacrificially.
After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee preaching the Message of God: “Time’s up! God’s kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message.”
Passing along the beach of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew net-fishing. Fishing was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed.
A dozen yards or so down the beach, he saw the brothers James and John, Zebedee’s sons. They were in the boat, mending their fishnets. Right off, he made the same offer. Immediately, they left their father Zebedee, the boat, and the hired hands, and followed.
Jesus looked him hard in the eye—and loved him! He said, “There’s one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me.”
The man’s face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go.
Looking at his disciples, Jesus said, “Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who ‘have it all’ to enter God’s kingdom?” The disciples couldn’t believe what they were hearing, but Jesus kept on: “You can’t imagine how difficult. I’d say it’s easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for the rich to get into God’s kingdom.”
That got their attention. “Then who has any chance at all?” they asked.
Jesus was blunt: “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it.”
Peter tried another angle: “We left everything and followed you.”
Jesus said, “Mark my words, no one who sacrifices house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, land—whatever—because of me and the Message will lose out. They’ll get it all back, but multiplied many times in homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land—but also in troubles. And then the bonus of eternal life! This is once again the Great Reversal: Many who are first will end up last, and the last first.”
Figure The Cost
One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple.
“Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’
“Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he can’t, won’t he send an emissary and work out a truce?
“Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple. “Salt is excellent. But if the salt goes flat, it’s useless, good for nothing.
“Are you listening to this? Really listening?”
Generation to Generation
God provided biblical format within families to ensure that they have faith in the living God for their will to be passed from generation to generation. However, these relationships are often lacking in today’s society.
Mentoring
Mentoring is a way of raising a mature Christian disciple within the body of Christ. Jesus imparted knowledge and values through His Word and His actions He showed the disciples the values of the kingdom of God are much different from the values of the world. He taught the disciples to be servants. Jesus showed them the behavior he wanted them to copy by first doing it himself. Jesus sent the disciples out to do ministry after they had spent time with him. He wanted them to practice doing what he had shown them.
Even though the term mentor is not in the Bible there are many instances of someone who is wiser and more experienced in the ways of the Lord. Acting as a mentor to someone younger or it may even be with a new believer.
His Catch
Remember that God catches his fish first. Then, He cleans them.
Therefore, we must learn to minister to people where they are spiritually rather than expecting them to come to where we are. People may profess to be born again. They may have habits attitudes and viewpoints that are very worldly. It is vitally important for mentors to model biblical principles for their mentee.
Provide an example of how God wants us to live and demonstrate Christianity….
It’s not to say, “I’m here to fix you.” Our primary purpose is to direct each person toward positive values, attitudes and behaviors. Set goals, set the pace and set the ground rules for the relationship. Let there be less problem oriented people. Focus on fixing deficiencies in the person’s attitude.
No Longer Locked Up
My Acceptance of Jesus
- Who is Jesus to me now? Jesus is my everything!
- At what point did I desire to do His work because of my relationship with Jesus? After I heard countless testimonies and the impact of those that were sharing their testimony with others. It gave me hope and helped remove the shame I felt about my life. I have chosen to share the trials I have had in my life with you for FREE. After all, Jesus cared enough for us to set us FREE. I want you to know I am here to provide an encouraging word and a listening ear.
- I have chosen to share my book via this blog because it is about all the things He has done in and through my life and what He continues to do in my life.
- I want to share with you FREEly, so it doesn’t cost you time and money.
- My journey did involve my choices and consequences of my choices.
- I am here to share with you what has changed for the better.
- Gaining knowledge is a choice and it should be FREE and obtainable.
- I am in the process of learning more by doing what He has called us all to do.
- The direction I am going because of my relationship with Jesus will be written via this blog as I work with the lost, unloved, used, and abused.
My Hope Is For You To Not Be Locked Up Any Longer
It is my hope to keep your attention, engage you and share things with you which will make me vulnerable to your scrutiny.
Then he told me. The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak. For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard. What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.
I once thought these things were valuable, but, now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ. I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But, I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.
