Tag Archives: freedom

One Thing, One Ring

Posted on by February 7, 2016  

I watch Lord of the Rings as often as I can. And that’s not very often, because the rest of my family doesn’t always agree, or the time doesn’t allow. Sometimes I watch just part of it, like I did just a few nights ago. The movie to me is like visiting with old friends. It has a hugely impacting story that I just love. For one thing, the entire premise is a journey of heroic selflessness to destroy evil. Along the way, there is so much growth of character and relationships. It’s just jam packed with goodness for me. Anyways, as I was watching for the billionth time, it hit me, as it has before a billion times about how relative the story is to us as Christians. Let me tell you about it.

There is this ring. The One Ring. It is the key to destroying or empowering the evil in the world of Middle Earth. In a scene early in the first movie, we see Isildur with the One Ring, following Elrond, a very much older and wiser Elf Lord to the place where the ring can be destroyed. Isildur hesitates, and Elrond tells him, “Cast it into the fire! Destroy it!” Isildur replies, “No.” and walks away, holding onto that source of evil and power. Temptation had it’s day and evil had it’s way. Isildur did not choose wisely. It had taken hold of him, and eventually leads him to his death

Jump ahead 3,000+ years. Now the Ring is in the possession of Frodo. He wears it around his neck, and it’s a tremendous burden. It’s heavy, causing him pain and injury. He cradles it and strokes it, as it speaks lies to his mind, taking hold of him. He even puts it on his finger, knowing that when he does, the enemy can see him, and it puts him in more danger.

We are so like these characters! We hold in our possession something we deem is bright, shiny, beautiful, powerful, irresistible, enchanting. But in truth it is the one thing that we need to let go of in our lives. To surrender it means freedom. Only we are blinded and we feel that surrendering it will make us weak and incomplete. That’s the deception! Listen to the voices of those around you who are begging you to cast it into the fire! Listen to the voice of God, asking you to let it go!

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Cor 10:13

I am still fighting the battle of food addiction. Like the One Ring, it wants to be found. The foods I am trying to avoid call out to me often. They remind me how delicious they taste. But I know their game. There is a bitter aftertaste in my soul awaiting me if I succumb to their seduction. And I will not allow that. I look forward to the day on my journey when I can say “It’s gone!”,  as Frodo declared at the end of Return of the King. At the point where the One Ring was destroyed, it no longer had a hold on him, and he could see clearly. His mind was not consumed with the thoughts that the ring wanted him to have. He was free.

 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Gal 5:1

What One Thing is your One Ring

So what One Thing is your One Ring? What in your life weighs you down, burdens you, tempts you, and steals your will? Cast it in to the Fire! Destroy it!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me Phil 4:13

Blessings,
Teresa

To Feel Free

2

I have fought the battle of food addiction and weight gain for many years. Unfortunately, I have been on the losing side for most of it. I lost some weight, but always gained it back. Up and down, up and down. The reason is, I was using outside methods to fix an inside problem.

I really gained understanding of this truth when I read the book Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst. Now, it took me quite a while to really take to the battle plan. I first read this book a few years ago, and have read it many times over since. In fact, I keep the daily devotional on a loop. I need it that badly. It boils down to this: The better my relationship is with God, the better enabled I am to handle the battles that rage around and inside me. I am most equipped to fight when I am closest to my Savior. He wants me to win! All hard things, all sacrificial things – are possible through Christ who strengthens me!

 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil 4:13

I purposed in my heart that this year – 2016 – I would BE a different person. I would stop wishing I was this way or that way, and BE what I want to BE! One of those wishes that I am making come true is that I would lose the unhealthy weight I have gained over the years; that I would care about my body, the temple of God!

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
1 Cor 6:19-20

For the first time in a long while, my trip to Disneyland this week did not include cravings for any and all sweet treats. I did not look longingly at goodies being enjoyed by all the guests there. I didn’t feel left out. Not that I would indulge in these things normally, but the craving was always with me – a constant companion telling me that it just wasn’t fair, and shouting to me that I was really missing out on something by not having those sweets!

On the same trip, I saw a large group of girls wearing matching shirts that read: “Rides? We’re here for the food!” That just really struck me. I was glad that that was NOT me! I even felt like it was a rather pathetic testimony to be sporting around on a shirt. I realized that my mind has been transformed, and food is no longer at the forefront. It felt really good. I felt FREE. And that made me so happy!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

Is there a constant craving companion in your life? Maybe it’s food, like mine was. It could be shopping, or the need for attention or praise. Or even a substance. Whatever it is that is nagging you, I want to let you know that FREEDOM is possible. You can break the bonds you have with your addictions. The key? Strengthen your bond with God. The more you seek Him, growing your relational bond with Him, the more the bonds of your addictions are loosened. You can choose to give your heart and mind to Christ, and walk in FREEDOM!

Galatians 5:1

 Blessings,
Teresa