A Free Fall
I love this time of year. The fall season where pumpkin flavors are prevalent and the vibrant warm color of leaf foliage mesmerizes my soul. And suddenly, each leaf in its own world falls free, drifting in the winds in preparation for the new.
I remember walking in my closet this summer in search of a few fall wardrobe pieces. Excitement filled my heart in every way. Each time I pulled something very old out from among other clothing pieces unexpected emotions stirred within and I began to feel the beginnings of an unsettled heart. In the natural, it literally felt as if I was coming down with a physical ailment. At that point, I had to walk through an internal self-check of my emotions. I asked God a question, “Lord is this You bringing awareness of something I need to change?” And His response was very subtle. After placing the clothing down I could no longer feel the emotional stirring.
“Fall was felt in the air. I could feel the brisk winds wrapping around me. A new season was here. With excitement in my heart and great expectancy, I knew it was time for an unfamiliar shedding of surrender and letting go.” ~ Bernail
At that point, I knew God was speaking loud and clear. Spiritually I knew this meant I was no longer fit for the old garment. I had to immediately make adjustments and get rid of some old stuff both spiritually and naturally. I started the process of removing clothing earlier in the summer and paused, but it was time to finish it once and for all. And it was clear that I needed to move with no more delay.
The Father was intervening once again, dealing with areas in my inner heart and soul that I was still cleaving to in the process of cleaning my closet. Areas deeply rooted that I needed to yet confront and surrender. He was cleaning the house of my heart as I was sweeping through this intimate space in my home. What I thought was just a normal routine of sorting and gathering material things, the Holy Spirit was on an assignment, unveiling a new reality within me.
“Keep creating in me a clean heart. Fill me with pure thoughts and holy desires, ready to please you.” May you never reject me! May you never take from me your sacred Spirit!
Psalms 51:20-11 TPT
When David said keep creating in me a clean heart, he knew that only God could transform his heart to make it a new creation not just one time, but for eternity. David knew his heart was in good hands when he surrendered it to be transformed in the likeness of his Creator. I could only imagine how freeing this moment was for David after surrendering all. This brought me back to the place in my closet where God gracefully presented Himself to me in the form of an old wardrobe heart check.
My soul was awakened with a new wardrobe garment and armor to confront three areas in my life’s closet chamber:
Surrender, Obedience and Trust
Will I trust God enough to surrender my heart to the Father in obedience in areas of life where emotional attachments were? Will I trust God to let go of what I want, things that may look fashionable and valuable on the outside, but have approached their expiration date? Will I obey the instructions of the Lord to move when He reveals areas in my heart that need reevaluation so that I can move in sync with Him to experience freedom this new fall season?
It was so exhilarating as the Father presented me with freshly steamed and pressed clothing, and a new wine skin in the process of cleaning my house. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “Out with the old and in with the new.” Well, that’s exactly what my current situation looked like. Accepting the call on my life for the season I was in along with the opportunities presented. Embracing the promises and rewards of answered prayers. Not feeling victim to self-sabotage and delay what I knew I was destined for. And no longer settling for a stagnant and stale mundane life in Christ in the transitions of waiting on God to move.
I became sensitive to everything in this season God desired to heal until I surrendered all. At that moment the blinders were removed from my eyes. I could now see it was a deeper-rooted matter of the heart. Processing emotional pain and old baggage can look just like the scenario in my closet experience.
~ Bernail
“Let my passion for life be restored, tasting joy in every breakthrough you bring to me. Hold me close to you with a willing spirit that obeys whatever you say.”
Psalms 51:12 TPT
So, this is how it feels to walk freer, experiencing the abundant life in Christ. I could only imagine what it felt like for David after his confession to God in a season when he needed the love of the Father the most. True freedom and a crisp garment in Christ come with a distinctive cost. I pray you surrender and trust God to do the work He desires in you to receive a brand-new gown of glory in Him. A “free” fall indeed.
