Freedom and Mystery
The Lord said, “Go out and stand at the mountain before the Lord. The Lord is passing by.” A very strong wind tore through the mountains and broke apart the stones before the Lord. But the Lord wasn’t in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake. But the Lord wasn’t in the earthquake. After the earthquake, there was a fire. But the Lord wasn’t in the fire. After the fire, there was a sound. Thin. Quiet. ~ 1 Kings 19:11-12 (CEB)
The Lord and the Spirit are one and the same, and the Lord’s Spirit sets us free. ~ 2 Corinthians 3:17 (CEV)
Lord,
THANKS: How is it that we are set free by someone we don't really understand. Lord, you are such a mystery. How your Spirit moves is very confusing. Yet, in that mystery we find ourselves. We come to know who we are and what our purpose is. Thank you.
REGRETS: In spite of the freedom, I sometimes act like I am a prisoner.
INTERCESSION: Holy Spirit, continue to pry my fingers loose from the unhealthy habits and patterns to which I cling.
PURPOSE: As I embrace the mystery of your Spirit I'm going to live in freedom.
Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
