He doesn’t make us give up good things.

He doesn’t make our lives boring and rigid.

In Ezekiel God calls his laws ‘life-giving” and that’s exactly what I have experienced.

I have to explain first – I have a strong rebellious streak (which is no news to God) so I think of the words ‘God’s laws’ more like ‘rules’ that a good Father makes because he loves his children so much and wants the best for them.  God’s laws come from love, not from control, ignorance or anger.

My Father’s rules give me a life of freedom from the guilt and shame caused by my sins.    I am free to live each day in his grace and strength and love.

Living in line with God takes away any loneliness I might feel because he is always with me – loving and guiding me.

It’s life-giving.

Knowing God relieves me from worry and anxiety.  He is in control – now and into eternity.  I’m so glad I don’t need to try to control my world anymore.  The truth is I was never in control anyway – no matter how much I fretted about it and worked at it.

God’s got this – all this.  It’s life-giving.

Watching God move in my life and in the lives of others is constantly exciting because nothing,

nothing!

is impossible for God.

It’s life-giving.

Listening to God’s directions gives my life purpose and meaning.  This is extremely important to me.  He gives me motivation to get up in the morning.  God’s faithfulness is amazing as he teaches me how to keep growing my faith and obedience.

It’s life-giving.

I don’t have to give up anything I don’t want to give up.  In reality, there have been a lot of things I chose to give up because God showed me they were not good for me.  They weren’t helping me grow closer to him and they were sabotaging my efforts towards some things I really wanted – like a great marriage, awesome kids, a fulfilling career and making a positive difference in my world.  I gave up those things because I chose to give them up.  I traded them for God’s best in my life.

My Father’s life-giving rules are his very best for me.

Thank you, Abba Father.