Locations & Times

We all long for freedom. The freedom to live fully, breathe deeply, and let go of everything that holds us back. For much of my life, I misunderstood what freedom was. I thought it was about independence, about making my own way and proving I could do it all on my own. But the harder I fought for independence, the more I felt locked up by fear, failure, and the crushing weight of trying to carry it all.

At one point, I felt suffocated by expectations of who I was supposed to be, both others' and my own. Fear whispered lies that I wasn’t enough, that I’d never measure up, and that freedom was for everyone else but me. I believed those lies for far too long.

Things began to change when I decided to engage with God’s Word in a new way—through community. I connected with other women who challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and reminded me that God had more for me. During that time, with a new perspective, a friend helped me see John 15:4-5:

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.

Those words took root in my heart in a new way. Jesus wasn’t giving me a set of rules to follow, He was offering Himself. He was inviting me to abide, to stay connected to Him, to stop striving, and to start resting.

Here’s the truth: Jesus isn’t harsh. He is gentle, tender, and full of grace. He reminds me often that true freedom doesn’t come from doing more or trying harder, it comes from being with Him. When I stay connected to Jesus, He becomes the source of everything I need. Like a branch attached to a vine, fruit comes naturally as His life flows through me.

Fear began to lose its grip. The lies I had believed started to fade. I began to taste the freedom that only Jesus can give.

This freedom is comprehensive. When we abide in Him, we’re no longer enslaved to fear, anxiety, insecurity, grief, pride, anger, loneliness, or greed. His peace replaces chaos, His joy overshadows sorrow, and His strength sustains us when we’re weak.

Growing up, I saw this freedom modeled by my mom. Her prayer life was deeply personal like she was talking to her closest friend. I didn’t fully understand it then, but it planted seeds in my heart. Years later, I got the word abide tattooed on my arm, along with John 15:5, in my mom’s handwriting. These are reminders of the lessons she taught me about depending on Jesus.

True freedom isn’t found in independence, it’s found in dependence on the One who knows us, loves us, and sustains us. Abiding in Jesus doesn’t require a perfect life or flawless faith. It’s about showing up day after day and letting Him meet us where we are.

For me, abiding looks like starting my mornings with Scripture, pouring my heart out to Him in prayer, and inviting the Holy Spirit into the ordinary moments of my day. Some days, abiding feels effortless. On other days, it’s a battle. But I’ve learned that freedom isn’t about never struggling, it’s about knowing where to turn when we do.