Just a few years in the past, my spouse and I visited Bar Harbor, Maine, a picturesque city alongside the rugged coast of northern Maine. On the floor it was charming, however beneath that appeal I sensed one thing deeply troubling. There have been delight flags in abundance, drag performers brazenly parading down the road, nevertheless it was not the mere presence of this stuff — it was the non secular environment. It was oppressive, heavy, darkish. A spirit hovered there that grieved my soul, and I knew it. The Spirit of God inside me bore witness, and I felt led to stroll by way of that city early one morning, praying within the Spirit.
With every step I known as on the identify of the Lord, strolling the streets as one who carries the presence of God. Finally, I got here to the Village Inexperienced, and felt impressed to take a seat and worship. I reached for my earphones, however realized I had left them within the lodge. But the decision to worship remained. So I turned up the quantity on my telephone and let the songs of reward rise into the morning air. I sat there quietly at first, hoping to not disturb, however then the Holy Spirit spoke gently to my coronary heart.
He stated, “There are delight indicators in all places. These individuals are pleased with who they’re. Are you pleased with who you might be?” It was not harsh, not condemning, however agency and loving. The reply welled up in me, not simply as a thought, however as a hearth—sure Lord, I’m not ashamed of You. I’m not ashamed of the Lord Jesus Christ. After which the Spirit stated, “Elevate your palms right here, in the course of this park, and worship Me.”
I hesitated for a second. The flesh wrestled with the spirit. What is going to individuals suppose? What is going to they are saying? However the Spirit whispered, Who cares what they suppose? Galatians 1:10 says, “For do I now persuade males, or God? Or do I search to please males? For if I nonetheless happy males, I’d not be a bondservant of Christ.” So I surrendered, I raised my palms, and worshiped. Within the open. Within the daylight. Amongst strangers.
And after I did, one thing broke. The chains of concern and intimidation snapped. Freedom swept over me like a wave. For ten, perhaps fifteen minutes, I sat there, palms lifted to heaven, praising the King of glory. Individuals walked by, some stared, however I not cared. I had entered the sanctuary of His presence within the open sq.. And when it was accomplished, the oppression that had pressed upon me was gone. Lifted. Dispersed like a mist beneath the rising solar.
You see, brothers and sisters, there’s energy in being unashamed. There’s liberty in declaring together with your entire life that Jesus is Lord. As it’s written in Romans 1:16, “For I’m not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it’s the energy of God to salvation for everybody who believes.” There’s a direct connection between boldness and energy, between confession and anointing.
Jesus stated in Luke 9:26, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My phrases, of him the Son of Man will likely be ashamed when He is available in His personal glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.” Let it not be so with us. Allow us to be those that glorify our God not simply with phrases, however with surrendered lives, with uplifted palms, with fearless obedience.
The world is rising darker, extra hostile to Christ and His individuals. However the gentle shines within the darkness, and the darkness can’t overcome it.
Stand agency. Be unashamed. And in doing so, stroll within the energy of His gospel — the one energy that saves, the one energy that delivers. His means, His reality, His life.
