Co-Existence of Boundaries and Freedom

One of the key elements of the Fellows Program is building relationships with one another.  Every month, we are required to meet for fellowship with our core groups, accountability and prayer with our quads, and one-on-one sessions with our mentors.  Although this may seem simple, it is not an easy task for 12 busy women (8 fellows + 4 mentors) to coordinate their schedules to gather and share quality time with one another.  But what amazes me about this process is the heart of these women who are genuinely excited to come together and eager to inconvenience themselves to honor this commitment. 

Last night, we held our first quad meeting at Cheesecake Factory.  Although this was a "meeting" of some sort, it was nothing short of old friends coming together for good eats and conversation.  We were able to dive right into one another's lives and shared things that were weighing on our hearts, our ongoing struggles, and areas where we needed each other for accountability.  This was an incredibly safe environment where we feared no judgment or condemnation.  As one of the ladies so clearly articulated, "Vulnerability begets vulnerability," as we welcomed the exercise of being broken and built up together.

This lead me to reflect on what true freedom is.  Although these meetings had been "forced" on us, as mandated activities of the program, there were immense treasures and freedom that awaited us.  These bounds created the unique space for us to freely and unashamedly come before one another, confess who we are at this particular stage of our lives, and strive toward the common goal of being true vessels before Him.  Our time together wasn't about our accomplishments, our spheres of influence, or any other type of pedestal the world may have placed us on.  It was the sheer simplicity of His people coming together to find ways to endure our trials and triumphs together.

It was precisely these strict guidelines of the program that forced us to prioritize our lives around one another.  We were not given any room to sway away from this commitment, and I believe it is this boundary that opened our eyes, minds, and time to such an enriching time of edification and acknowledgment of His grace.  Through this simple lesson of coming together with a group of vulnerable lovers of Jesus, He has reminded me once again that it is for freedom that Christ has set us free (Galatians 5:1).