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I have a frustrating tendency to put myself at the middle of the universe in my own mind even though I know intellectually how silly that is. It’s not intentional. Rather, when I let my mind meander in default mode, without being alert, sober-minded and discerning, I typically end up thinking like a humanist (with me being the human).

About half-way through the greatest sermon ever delivered, Jesus’ sermon on the mount, Christ drops this little gem about the good eye and the bad eye. Right before it, Jesus instructs us to lay up treasures in heaven instead of treasures on earth. Right after it, Jesus teaches us to not be anxious about earthly needs, but instead to seek first the kingdom of God.

I want to invite you to do some of your own writing. When we think of testimony, we most often think of what we are going to share when witnessing to our non-believing friends or family. And that is good and true. However, testimony is also a powerful blessing you can share with your brothers and sisters in the body of Christ.

I hope this letter finds you in the gentle embrace of peace, even if it’s just a sliver, as you journey through the shadows of your pain. I cannot begin to understand the trauma you are experiencing. I have not walked your path and I have not experienced burdens so heavy, but I want you to know that you are not alone in this journey. Your resilience in the face of extreme adversity is a testament to the strength that resides within you, a strength drawn from and nurtured by the unending grace of our loving Father.

We often sing, echoing the words of 2 Cor. 3:17, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom!” Two questions come to mind: 1) what is this freedom in concrete terms? 2) being persons who have the Spirit (i.e., we are where the Spirit of the Lord is), why is it often the case that we don’t feel free?