Free to Be: Walking with Meaning and Purpose

By Lorraine Cheshire

Without your job, social status, family, friends, and possessions, who are you?

 

Is it possible to find your true identity and purpose in life? How is identity formed? How is it influenced? What are the voices that tell you who you are? You can you redefine yourself! A solid identity will impact your course in life and your effectiveness. Discover how to be free to be who you truly are.

 

Move from survival to significance.

 

Your past does not have to define you!

 

Author Lorraine Cheshire's deep-rooted relationship in Jesus Christ inspires her to help people reach their full potential. In her various roles as educator, career counsellor, adventure trainer, and pastor, she has worked primarily in Canada with assignments in the USA and in Jamaica. Her insights and perspectives build hope, relay wisdom, and endeavour to shed light on your path.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Skyward Press
• Release date: Nov 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9781777408015

Lorraine Cheshire

Lorraine Cheshire's deep-rooted relationship in Jesus Christ inspires her to help people reach their full potential. In her various roles as educator, career counsellor, adventure trainer, and pastor, she has worked primarily in Canada with assignments in the USA and in Jamaica. Her insights and perspectives build hope, relay wisdom, and endeavour to shed light on your path.

Book preview

Free to Be: Walking with Meaning and Purpose

Published by Skyward Press

Welland, ON, Canada

Copyright © 2020 by Lorraine Cheshire

Visit the author at lorrainecheshire.com

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scriptures marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

All Rights Reserved. This book, or any portion thereof, may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system (except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review or other endorsement, or in a recommendation to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the Internet) without written permission from the publisher.

ISBN: 978-1-7774080-1-5

To the love of my life,

Jim,

Who encouraged and supported me to write.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Without a doubt, this book is the result of many wonderful pieces coming together through God’s orchestration.

Writing begins in seed form with an understanding or perspective that strikes you as profound. As it continues to expand, it branches out and takes shape. The seeds that dropped into my heart were generated from my pastors’ message series called The Borne Identity. Both Marc Brûlé and Andrew Thompson shared sound biblical perspectives critical to a solid identity. As God’s inspiration germinated these seeds within my own study, the desire to share them emerged. Thank you, Marc and Andrew, for being instruments of the Holy Spirit. I also thank the WellSpring Community Church Board of Directors for giving me permission to integrate some of these inspired gems into my book.

Writing a book is a journey—one that is never done alone. A team comes around to support you. My husband, Jim, willingly and enthusiastically stood beside me even though it meant sacrifice on his end. He worked with me to make space and picked up the extra household duties we usually share. He also sprinkled my book with his wise and profound understanding of the Word. Thank you, Jim, I could not have done it without you.

A few years ago, my friend Rachel Starr Thomson—a writer, publisher, and speaker—planted the seeds of possibility in my heart. Every time I shared my desire to write a book, her response instilled confidence. God used her to confirm his direction in my life. In addition, her expert editorial support sharpened my skills. You inspire me, Rachel. Thank you for being my friend in this journey!

Others on my team helped to bring things together. Carolyn provided remarkably meticulous copyediting, and Amy, an astoundingly well-designed cover. You both are such graceful and flexible professionals. Merci!

Special thanks go to my dear friend, Krista. In our weekly visits, she cheered me on and prayed for me. To top that off, she read my second draft and gave me clear honest feedback that helped refine and clarify my thoughts. Thank you for your friendship.

God is faithful to place around you those who will spur you on to run the race. In the end, he is credited for doing it. Thank you, my dear Father God, for your inspiration, direction, and support. Following you continues to bring adventure into my life.

PREFACE

What makes something worth writing about? When I was thinking about the answer to this question, I wondered how many books have actually been written over the years. So, I searched it out. The most recent estimation is that over 134 million books have been published worldwide.[1]  So many authors, so many windows of understanding. I wonder how many years it would take to read them all—but who would want to?

Meaning and significance come to mind in regards to writing. Writers want to convey something meaningful—something they believe is of value to others. Whether it is fact, fiction, feeling, or fun; whether inspiration, instruction, information, or interest; whether truth, tale, trend, or transcription, writers want to create a worthwhile experience for their readers.

What makes written material worth reading? Readers are looking for something. Whether it is knowledge, entertainment, inspiration, understanding, encouragement, mental stimulation, personal growth, or spiritual enrichment, readers pick up a book to actively engage with the subject matter. The goal is to match the writer to the reader’s yearning.

For me, truth is what gives writing its significance and validity. My motivation is summed up in Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians:

That our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith ... so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

Free to Be is about realizing your true identity. It is about equipping you with the solid foundation you need to reach your full potential. When you know who you truly are, you are equipped to walk with meaning and purpose.

At times, we walk through life with a limp, not really knowing who we are or why we’re here. Sometimes we grasp it, but a wave comes and causes us to question again. Sometimes we just drift on the thoughts and perceptions of others. Sometimes we get lost and, in that place, we latch on to someone else’s identity.

We were not meant to limp. We were meant to walk invigorated—running, leaping, taking flight. We were meant to walk with intent—focused and resolute. Our lives were meant to be significant.

Some of the perspectives on identity shared in this book were inspired by others. These viewpoints, along with my perspective, research, prayer, and personal journey with God, are interwoven to create a unique tapestry of insights based on truth. What I write, I know to be true in my own life.

In the process of solidifying my identity, God healed, liberated, and redefined me. Sometimes the work was immediate, sometimes a lengthy process. Today I can say with confidence that my core identity cannot be shaken. Even life events, however dire they are, do not make me doubt who I am. The anxiety I used to experience is gone. I cannot find words to fully express how settling that is. Free is the closest word. Free from being a victim of what this earthly life brings.

My heart and passion for writing Free to Be is to see you transformed by the truth. To see you aligned with your true self, not pretending, not performing, not searching, not confused—rather, genuine, confident, steady, and clear.

God is good is not a cliché for me. It is a fact—one that I know to be true in the depth of my being, even during the lowest moments of my life. Since I know this peace and stability, I want you to know it also, to embrace it, to grow in it. It will change your life. It has changed mine!

1 

The Lion King

––––––––

As the lights dim in the theatre and a large red sun rises on an African horizon, suddenly, the powerful theme song begins with a strong impassioned Zulu chant, Naaaaaants ingonyaaaaaama[2] ... Even though the words are not comprehended, they create a spellbinding atmosphere. They call every living creature to attention and hold them in their thrall, as the scene opens in the epic film, The Lion King.

Today, the song, The Circle of Life, still elicits goosebumps when I hear it. The Zulu words are moving within themselves, even without translation. They announce the birth of a lion prince: There’s the King.[3] They convey the wondrous anticipation of the whole kingdom. A successor has been born!

The song goes on to speak about the mysteries and complexities of life, and the movie takes us through a journey in understanding the monumental importance of identity.

The story is about the lion cub, Simba, born to succeed his father as king. As a young cub, his father speaks identity, purpose, and destiny into his life to prepare him for his noble role. However, his path is interrupted when he is victimized by his uncle. Believing all is lost, Simba leaves the Pride Lands and embraces a carefree lifestyle with his new companions in a new world. It is not until several events converge that the now fully-grown Simba remembers who he truly is and returns to fulfill his destiny.

Even though this was a children’s animated film, it left me pondering my own identity.