As I have been thinking about this issue, the same little girl keeps coming to mind. She bears a striking resemblance to me ... and maybe to you too. Ava lived in her father’s mansion. The massive manor sat on a hill with the town flanked around it. Her father designed it to be a beautiful place for his children and great care was given to the tiniest of details.

Ava had carte blanche access to every room, but sadly, most of the time she stayed in her room. Hiding from potential hurts, unknown surprises and frightening prospects, she entertained herself within the boundaries of her room and dreamed of living large. Her room was so much better than the one she had before. Ava’s adoption was no secret. Her birthparents had exploited and abused her. Papa, as she called him, couldn’t stand to see Ava mistreated, so he purchased her escape.

On occasion, when she ventured out of her space, Belshazzar would mock Ava. Belshazzar was a bird Ava had brought from her original home. Belshazzar was a cruel and shrewd fowl with ample vocabulary. He taunted Ava with reminders of her past. He toyed with her tender insecurities. He exposed her fears of the unknown. All through the corridors of the mansion, Ava could hear him mocking and heckling her.

Although she was free, Ava lived bound. All that Papa had meant to bless her with futilely wasted away. Papa longed to see Ava live to the full potential of all he had dreamed for her, but it was Ava’s choice.

To be honest, I’ve lived just like Ava for too much of my life. Our Father has given us carte blanche access to Him. He didn’t purchase us to live in the confines of our past or be bound by the restraints of insecurity, fetters of fear or chains of sin. He has granted us permission for more, much more. The choice is ours. Permission has been granted, so let’s live like it.

I hope this issue of Studio G inspires you to live the abundant life God has called you to enjoy.

Blessings,