I Once Was Lost- but Now I'm Found.

ɪ ᴏɴᴄᴇ ᴡᴀs ʟᴏsᴛ

Lost in my own pride of being different. Proud to be set apart by my physical appearance and speech. Looking down on others who didn’t talk or walk as I did

Lost in legalism that dictated my every breath 

Lost in a mentality / belief that contained God in a box no bigger than a KJV and a preacher’s mind. 

ʙᴜᴛ ɴᴏᴡ ɪ’ᴍ ғᴏᴜɴᴅ 

I found that I am no better than any human. That the good parts of me are enhanced by the love of Christ in me, and the love I show others.  Putting myself on a pedestal because I checked all the IFB boxes hurt my testimony with anyone outside of my bubble

I found that the weight of legalism stifled my liberty in Christ. Laying those down, I have been free to live in love and peace .

I have found that God is so much bigger than the one I was taught about. That He is found in so many places outside of a church building and a group of people that holds on to their traditions as gospel. 

ɪ ᴏɴᴄᴇ ᴡᴀs ʙʟɪɴᴅ

Blinded by manufactured holiness wrapped up floor length skirts.

Blinded by men in power holding God’s Word over like a brutal whip - lashing out at any sign of individuality.

Blinded by coercion and isolation covered up with biblical terms and fear.

ʙᴜᴛ ɴᴏᴡ ɪ sᴇᴇ

I see now that true holiness is not what men dictate from a pulpit ( or women looking down their lofty noses) - but in serving others. Not in how I dress, but in how I love others as Jesus did. 

I see God’s Word no longer contained in one book - but in many. His words and love are in people around us. His truth is kindness and hope. He who made us INDIVIDUALS- celebrates that diversity; even among His own apostles 

I see that God did not want us isolated and so set apart we shun the “world”.  There is no more evil in the world than in church buildings. People make the church- people make the world- both places are fallible. I know longer carry the fear of “us vs them”

My chains are gone 

I’ve been set free 

My God, My Savior

He rescued me

And like and flood

His mercy reigns 

Unending love 

Amazing grace 

-Amber Schultz

2022

Song lyrics from Amazing Grace ( My Chains are Gone) 

by Chris Tomlin