Stepping Out of What Was
- Michelle Buchanan
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Abundant life has been a little tricky for me. Maybe it has for you, too.
My story begins with challenges while I was in the womb. When my mom was about eight weeks pregnant with me, doctors discovered my dad had cancer. After exploratory surgery, they found cancer everywhere in his chest cavity. They closed him up and told him that he had only a few months to live.
He died when I was one month old.
My mom grieved deeply. She was a young widow with three children, working long shifts as a nurse to keep our little family afloat. She loved me but had very little physical or emotional energy for an infant, so I was passed around from one relative to another. I did not bond well with my mom from the very beginning.
When I was around two years old, she remarried, because in those days, women needed marriage for basic survival. Because her husband had little skills or capacity to be a father, my childhood was very difficult and sometimes abusive.
I learned to survive by becoming invisible.
Unseen.
Unheard.
Under the radar.
Those patterns followed me into adulthood. The message was remarkably similar:
Don't feel. Don't talk. Don’t need. Stay small. Stay silent. Stay safe.
For five decades I lived at a level of disconnect - from people, from having needs, even from myself. But God did a miraculous work. He called me to lead this ministry named InterConnected, which is all about connection!
He took a girl who did not experience healthy connection, and redeemed and restored a life connected to Him, to purpose, and to others. What an amazing God!
It reminds me of Joseph, who was mistreated and misunderstood by his family. Later God positioned him to bring life to others.
Genesis 50:20-21, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to keep many people alive. So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”
If you’ve walked through difficulty, I want to encourage you.
Step out of what has been your past.
Step up into what God has spoken over you.
Abundant life comes as we step out of the old messages–about ourselves, about the world, even about God–and step up into what is true.
Step Into Knowing God
Jesus said, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3
Eternal life isn’t just about heaven someday. It’s about knowing God now.
Authentically.
Honestly.
Intimately.
Jesus made it clear that eternal life is knowing the Father, knowing Christ, and later, He gives the Holy Spirit to dwell in us.
Step Out of a Small View of Salvation
In western culture, “being saved” often means I'm saved from hell and I'll go to heaven when I die.” But salvation is so much more.
From the moment you receive Christ, you enter a new kind of life–eternal life that begins now. You now have access to God in all His fullness–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Step out of limited understanding of salvation and eternal life.
Step up into the abundant life Jesus’ death and resurrection gives.
Knowing God and Being Known By God
I've spent a lot of my life seeking to know God–Bible studies, theology books, church attendance, spiritual disciplines. All good things, but underneath was a belief that I had to perform. And I struggled knowing if I was doing it right.
Jesus invites us to step out of striving.
Step up into knowing God.
The God who wants to be known.
The God who is generous with allowing us to know Him.
The God who delights in revealing His heart.
He wants you to see yourself the way He sees you.
Ephesians 1 tells us we are:
Chosen
Holy and blameless before Him
Adopted through Jesus Christ
Redeemed
Forgiven
And more
This is who you are.
Three Foundations of Knowing God
1. Knowledge about God
The Bible teaches us about His character, His attributes, His heart, His thoughts.
2. Agreement with God
Alignment of my thoughts and beliefs to His truth.
3. Trust in God
Place my full weight on Him, like stepping onto the bridge with confidence.
Knowing God means stepping out of superficial knowledge and stepping up into deep, abiding trust.
Will you step out and step up?
Step out of what has been.
Step up into eternal life–knowing God and being known by Him.
If you want to explore this more, join us.
Every third Sunday evening, we gather on a zoom call for Walking in the Spirit, an open conversation about living led by the Spirit, filled with the Spirit, and in step with the Spirit.
I would love to see you there.
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