Have you ever felt unworthy and weighed down by your own inadequacies? Maybe it’s your words you just can’t seem to get right. Every time you speak it seems like you’re saying the wrong things… or maybe it’s what you watch and the places you find yourself repeatedly going to although you’d rather not.
We struggle sometimes with the weight of our weaknesses and sometimes it feels like we just can’t be free.
Paul felt this way exactly when he said ‘the things I want to do I don’t, but the things I don’t want to do, I find my self doing’ he had to cry out and say ‘o wretched man that I am!’ (Romans 7:15,24)
Just like Paul don’t you just want to scream out in the same way sometimes?
One woman must’ve felt this kind of burden intensely weigh on her because as the story goes, she was possessed with 7 demons. SEVEN! Demons usually find their way into a person’s life through a door that person opened to them whether knowingly or unknowingly. Through their life choices and lifestyles.
This woman was called Mary. Mary Magdalene.
The way we are introduced to her story is that ‘7 demons were driven out of her..’ that’s the first thing the writer wants us to know about Mary. That she was set free from the burden of 7 demons.
This information is important to know because Mary’s later life will be an example of how freedom from sin and forgiveness can completely transform a person’s life and purpose.
Here are a few things you should know about Mary after she was forgiven and set free from the demons possessing her. Before we get to that, I’d like to make this clarification. These days people have the tendency to personalize demons. You’ll hear people making statements beginning with ‘My demons…’ . If you find yourself doing that, then you should stop. Personalizing a demon is giving it room to remain comfortable in you. It doesn’t belong in your body.
Here’s what Mary did with her new found freedom, and new life
She served dutifully
Mary Magdalene is one of the few women mentioned severally in the Bible. She followed and served Jesus wholeheartedly. She was there at every major event. She was the first person Jesus appeared to after he arose. That says a lot about her loyalty to him and how much she was dedicated to him. Mary had lived a life controlled by demons. Demons aren’t kind. They’re ruthless monsters who torment their hosts. She knew what it was like to basically be a slave to those creatures. So after finding freedom from them, she probably could appreciate life better and she chose to live her live doing things that brought fulfillment and peace.
She loved fiercely
Mary was one of Jesus’ followers who followed him right to the cross and saw him being crucified. A lot of the others had fled including the 12. She followed again thereafter to see where his grave was. Again, she woke up very early the next morning to go anoint his body. You only do these if you love a person deeply. Mary loved the Lord with all her being.
She gave generously
The Bible also mentions that she and some other women ministered to Jesus and provided for him out of their own means (Luke 8:3). Giving is a natural consequence of loving. Mary gave generously because she loved the Lord.
Mary found the source of her freedom and she never let go! She held on to him.
The good news is Jesus can give you freedom too. Whatever seems to be a burden that’s weighing you down, however far gone you think you are, it’s never too far for his hand to reach out to you just like he did to Mary. All you need to is call out to him. Ask him to save you. He’s ready to transform your life!
If you have already received freedom and forgiveness. The question is… what are you doing with them? Mary served, she loved, she gave, she remained faithful.
In what ways can you serve, or give? Who can you show love to today? Are you faithful to God? To what he’s entrusted you with?
Let’s ponder on these questions today as we ask God to help us.
When God transforms our lives, it’s so we can go out into a dark world and be bright lights.
It’s my prayer for you and for me today that we like Mary, will love Jesus wholeheartedly and live our lives following in his footsteps.
Thanking God, I thank you.