I remember the day I felt the freedom of flight as a toddler, soaring down a rocky hill on my big green bicycle – without the guiding hand of my big brother. It was a moment when he and my younger brother convinced me I was ready to tackle the hill alone. I remember them cheering me on as they gave my bike a gentle push and told me to pedal. I was terrified at first. But as I began to experience the freedom of the wind blowing through my pigtails, I started to believe I could actually do this. I took a deep breath, and my heart leaped with each shift of the handlebars as I tried to master pedaling and steering downhill. I couldn’t believe it. 

But what was so energizing quickly turned to terror as I realized the bike was moving faster and faster, and all I knew to do was to pedal. I was frantic! I could hear laughter at the top of the hill as my body jerked from side to side as my speed increased. The laughter became faint as I observed my legs swing helplessly alongside the bike after the bike made contact with the rocks on the path. I tried steering into the grass but encountered small dips and holes. I felt completely out of control. As I neared the bottom of the hill, I could hear my brothers again, but this time they were screaming for me to “Brake!” Miraculously, my feet found the pedals, and I forced them in reverse, causing the bike to stop immediately, throwing me to the ground. My brothers raced down the hill to my side to help me up, making sure I was okay. After checking out the bruises on my knees and elbows, they became convinced I would survive. They walked my bike up the hill for me and, through laughter, insisted I was an expert bike rider after enduring such an experience.

I didn’t understand the importance of appreciating bumpy journeys in my life until I took a deep breath and cut the cord from what was familiar and comfortable. If I’m truthful about it, God was instrumental in helping me arrive at such a realization. God positioned me on a journey where I had to make the critical decision to resist everything He revealed as bondage. For years, I allowed the enemy to distort the image of what God sees me to be. For years, I held my breath as I went from one experience to the next, doing what others expected of me, not fully embracing the adventure God was beckoning me to. When things got out of control, I often tried to keep steering when God was near, ready to take the wheel. I recognize now I did not give myself permission to take a deep breath. I did not allow God to lead. Once I did, I experienced freedom on levels I did not know existed, which gave me the confidence to cut the cord from anyone and anything that jeopardized that freedom. The truth is – anyone who doesn’t want you free wants you in chains. 

Galatians 5:1 states, “Christ has set us free for freedom. Therefore, stand firm and don’t submit to the bondage of slavery again.”

Walk down the road less traveled – take a deep breath and cut the cord! 

Surrender to God! Resist the devil, and he will run from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you… (James 4:7-8)” 

Be well. Live well.