Happy New Year Washington Cathedral! Chelsea Maitland here.

Tomorrow morning we will hear from Pastor Tim White- who will preach from Galatians 5 and teach us about freedom in Christ and being in-step with the Holy Spirit.

When I initially read Galatians 5 I think about the book of Leviticus. I won't lie to you- Leviticus has a lot of what looks like rules. But what I learned about the rules in Leviticus is that they are God teaching God's people, how to be God's people. I love this passage in Leviticus 26 from the Message: It says, 11-13 “I’ll set up my residence in your neighborhood; I won’t avoid or shun you; I’ll stroll through your streets. I’ll be your God; you’ll be my people. I am God, your personal God who rescued you from Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians. "

"I will set up my residence in your neighborhood!" Not only did God rescue the Israelites but now God is saying to them, I'm going to teach you how to be my people and I will live among you. 

When we talk about Galatians 5 I think about Leviticus because Galatians 5 is about following the way of Jesus and not the way of ourselves- and the freedom that comes in giving-up our own way and following Jesus.

God teaches us how to be God's people. And God gives us the Holy Spirit to be among us- and "set-up residence in our neighborhoods." Let us find freedom in Jesus by loving one-another and being in-step with the Holy Spirit through the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Peace be with you,

Chelsea