The coach stopped me in my tracks with this soccer drill. It was meant for toddlers, but it was sent by God for me. It burst my bubble of known, it tossed out the waste of old and it rolled in eye-opening insight that would redecorate my heart with truth.
Who knew soccer was so good for mental health?!
4 cones.
One square.
No space.
3 Kids.
“Go!”
My son tried to move, no dice (or rather, no goal!). He tried to inch forward, but couldn’t gain traction. He tried to kick, but his ball bounced off his companions’. He tried to run, but, the two collided like blind bulls. Boing!!!
Yet, amidst the mayhem and the maniacal movements of the inept, the coach broke through “crazy” with two words, “Break Out!”
And so they did. Kids, ran left, right and nearly out of sight! Like bees set free they could chart a destination on a course that was possible, feasible and liberating all at the same. If I could have I would have cheered this moment, saying, “Go, free ones, go. Now you can fly!”
The coach would too and, together, we would breathe a sigh of relief.
What small confines are you stuck in –
trying to plow your way through?
What is not giving you an iota of movement,
yet still, you fight for tooth and nail?
When we are so pressed against everything, we can’t enter the huge field of opportunity the Lord has set before us. We see the Promised Land, but our eyes keep us kicking around in the small perimeter of everyone else’s movements.
They are set on our competition.
They become obsessed with personal performance.
They see each kick like an eternal report card of worth.
Moves become belabored and burdensome.
Irritation mounts.
Aggravation scores.
We lose!
God becomes distant.
“He’s out in left-field somewhere!”
Break Out!
When we get hyper-focused on numbers, feedback, criticisms, critiques, God says, “Break out!”
When we start looking at everyone else’s progress, toys and accomplishments, God says, “Break out!”
When we start fearing our ability to succeed, God says, “Break out!”
When we start feeling our chest constrict into the fist of anxiety, God says, “Break out!”
When we start to be man’s responses, God says, “Break out!”
When we are obeying strategies and growth plans first and foremost, God says, “Break out!”
When we are sure we will surely be marginal at best, God says, “Break out!”
When we start making the past the predictor of our future, God says, “Break out!”
When we see the bad surrounding, the pressing in indwelling, God says, “Break out!”
When we doubt calling, God says, “Break out!”
When we wonder if we are any good, God says, “Break out!”
When we box ourself into sameness, God says, “Break out!”
When we look at boundaries and limitations, God says, “Break out!”
Get out of the box, push over the boundary and fly to the place where God is.
If you’re goal is to be with him, it is a goal that can’t be blocked.
It’s a goal that wins the game every time – heck, it wins the World Cup, for that matter!
Run into the freedom of open air.
Bask in the place of his prompting.
Skip to the place of true calling.
Jump to the heights of unrestrained love.
Fall into the depths of incalculable peace.
Sit in the field of rest.
Move to the new places, no one has transversed.
Win there! That is where you win!
We find our little slice of heaven on earth, carved out for us in the here and now,
in the freedom found, not in doing what the world and demands and people tell us,
but found in the unusual, uncharted and unknown callings of him.
No one ever got anywhere by kicking around in the complacent and crazy confines of controlled chaos. Just ponder. Many of the “Great Remarkables” became remarkable because they stopped caring if the world called them remarkable and they just followed God.
Simple. He is speaking. Are we listening?
Look at the woman at the well. She became well because she broke free from confines at the well – so her mouth could not confine her truth of liberation.
“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” Jo. 4:30
She had to break out of world-made form though. Do you see this power yet?
She had to trample form that told her Jews don’t talk with Samaritans.
She had to push through the fact that talking women should have husbands present.
She had to push away the fact that rabbis shouldn’t speak to sluts.
She had to break out!
To step out of the box of confines to be unconfined.
What is God ready to break out on your behalf as you break out?
God isn’t found in the small boxes of safe, of expected, of normal, of man and of “steps for success”, he is found in the wild land of adventure, pursuit and nonconformity in him, by faith and through Christ.
Break out! Today, see what holds you in and push past it in the name of Jesus. Zig and zag his way. Run arms open. Sprint into his fields of purpose.
Don’t just read this and move on, but listen and press in. Promise me that. If you don’t think this is for you, think again, it is, especially for you. What is he calling you to?
My break out: I will not intentionally look at post or visitor statistics. My words are an incense being released solely on behalf of his beauty – from my heart to his, uncensored, untouched and unchangeable by man. And so they will be. And so I will go into the field of his providence, trusting.
What is yours?
Get all Purposeful Faith blog posts by email – click here.
Bloggers, be a guest poster on Purposeful Faith! Submit by Nov. 16. Please copy and paste your post into my form or if you are having issues, submit the form and then I will respond back to you via my email.
If you haven’t joined the “Cheerleaders for Christ” Facebook page, please do! Great encouragement is found on this page.

This is definitely the state of life I’m in presently. I feel God’s nudging to BREAK OUT of a whole lot of stuff that I have allowed to keep me bound. Thanks for this post today Kelly. #RaRalinkup
Thank you Kia. Listen and go. Just do it; he will be faithful to you.
What a great post. I needed this today. Thanks Kelly for encouraging my heart. #RaRalinkup
I am so glad Tayrina. I really got the feeling that God was speaking to many of us today, obviously, myself included.
Kelly,
This is the same message God has been speaking to my heart. To go beyond the pattern and formula of how man says it should be done. Go beyond. Or, to use your words, break out – of the form mold.
Now, if He would only clue me in to WHAT or HOW He wants me to move forward in going beyond, that would be great. But until then, I just take one small step as He leads. And that may indeed be the way He reveals it- one step at a time. Until one day I look back and realize I am beyond.
Exactly Stephanie. I think the one-small step is the best step. Amen! He wants our listening in the details of life.
Praise God. I love how God intersects messages and then drives them home. Praising him for the work in both our hearts.
[…] I’m linking up this week with Kelly Balarie at Purposeful Faith, Jennifer Dukes Lee at #TellHisStory and Holley Gerth at Coffee for Your […]
“My words are an incense being released solely on behalf of his beauty – from my heart to his” – this has been a prayer of mine (only not quite so eloquently) for the past week. It doesn’t matter. Only one thing matters. We must choose the one thing. Loved that you used the woman at the well and the fact that she didn’t fit the description of what we would perceive as someone God would use. We simply cannot box Him in! Thanks, Kelly.
Yes, let it be Ruthie. Let’s choose the one thing!
I’m feeling these words this morning, Kelly! I’ve been doubting my calling a great deal lately. My break out would be very similar to yours. I may have to use that one too. Thanks, my friend :).
Candace, God loves the call he has given you. It is his heart. May you rejoice in the splendor of him.
I will be writing “Break Out!” at the top of my calendar today. It is my source for success and my greatest source of anxiety. Success, because it is my written plan to move forward to tbe Jesus girl I want to be. Anxiety because I have to leave my confines of comfort to make it all happen. Looking forward to declaring “Break Out!” Over yhe anxiety that has lingered in my heart lately.!
Let’s do it together Samantha! Break out! YAY!
My breakout is not letting outward circumstances define the outcome! Trusting God today with everything, and knowing He is working it all together for GOOD. Blessings, Kelly!
Amen Kristine. Let’s trust fully and whole-heartedly!
This really has me thinking this morning about what my “break out” is. Each one of us has something in which we can break out of. Thanks for being so transparent in your post about yours Kelly.
You’re welcome. Break out and let God break in. He is going to change our world!
[…] Linking today with Purposeful Faith […]
A great post so empowering 🙂
I am breaking out of worrying about what I’m not doing and concentrate on where God has me, doing what he wants right now.
Thank you Tania. God has us right where he wants us to be.
I can picture the soccer practice and all the little ones breaking out. Great image to teach us today, Kelly. I need to break away from myself and let myself go to God. Easier said than done. Thank you for your words as always. You make me smile.
🙂 It was such a good image to see. Praise God for what he teaches in the small.
I love this, Kelly: “Get out of the box, push over the boundary and fly to the place where God is. If your goal is to be with him, it is a goal that can’t be blocked.”
My breakout is to seek a new level of praise and worship in my life this month.
Yes! I love that Betsy. Beautiful.
Love this post Kelly! Especially love this part:
Run into the freedom of open air.
Bask in the place of his prompting.
Skip to the place of true calling.
Jump to the heights of unrestrained love.
Fall into the depths of incalculable peace.
Sit in the field of rest.
Move to the new places, no one has transversed.
I’m in a season of finding joy and fulfillment in God’s calling on my life. There is nothing that compares to walking in God’s delight!! Bless you, dear friend!
May you simply relish the joy of the Lord. I love that so much Lisa.
[…] hanging out with these great blogging communities: #RaRaLinkUp and Testimony […]
I also stopped looking at stats a few months ago. It was becoming an idol and a blockage to what God was asking me to write. I’ve joined you in that “break out”. I also ask the #rara community’s prayers as I speak for the first time at a women’s workshop in January. I’m so thrilled but also terrified of speaking to such a large group.
Go get ’em ladies!!
Thank you for joining me in this Meg. God is at work. Yes Lord!
[…] Linking up with Kelly Balarie: […]
Thank you, Kelly, for this inspiration to “Break Out!” I love that freedom is found “not in doing what the world and demands and people tell us, but found in the unusual, uncharted and unknown callings of him.” May we always reflect Jesus and His love and glory!
Yes, let’s reflect and shine and emit all his goodness Trudy. Thank you for your amazing heart. Love it.
Kelly,
Thank you for reminding me to break out of fear and to walk by faith…I’m continuing work on my ebook devotional…blessings to you 🙂
Blessings to you Dolly. Break out into love over fear. YAY. Cheering you.
[…] a joy to link this post with Kelly for #RaRaLinkup, Holly for #TestimonyTuesdsay, and Crystal for […]
Gosh such a great reminder of just how much we need to Break Out of!! Without God we’d be a jumbled mess of people on the soccer field of life!! I’m really seeing the subtle ways we stay stuck, when God’s promises for freedom are so amazing!
Freedom after freedom after freedom. He is so good to us.
My son is a soccer player, so I understand completely where you are coming from. Reminds me of his early days on the field. 🙂 This month my breakout is continuing to find ways to bless others in real and transparent ways, under God’s leading. Bless you!
Yes! Bless them Julie. How powerful.
“If you’re goal is to be with him, it is a goal that can’t be blocked.”
Kelly, what a great sticky statement- more importantly, what a great truth! I was telling hubby it as we were running this morning. We are a soccer family so it especially “hit home.” Your writing keeps shining brighter as you press on with the Spirit.
God is good to my heart. SO thankful for him, you know. Love you dear friend.
Wow! Kelly, thank you for sharing this, Love! Your words are confirmation on what I know GOD has been whispering to my heart. You bless me so much! Love you! 🙂
Hugs Tai. God wants you to grab hold and run with it. GO!
Kelly, thanks for sharing this story and timely truth with us. I love it when God speaks to me in this way as I am out and about doing the daily stuff. It encourages me to know that He sees me at Soccer game and the grocery store and while I am doing laundry. He breaks in and speaks life into my heart just when I need it.
Blessings,
Lyli
God is so faithful to always be showing up for us – when we are actually looking. I love that!
[…] at Purposeful Faith, Playdates with God, […]
Kelly, I loved this so much I read it twice so it would sink into my brain!! I’m breaking out of fear. Praise the Lord! My goal is to be with Jesus, to love Him, to serve Him and so I will press forward. Thank you for encouraging me!
Yes! This is what it is all about. I am with you – no fear!
[…] up with Holly Barrett’s Testimony Tuesday, Kelly Balarie’s RaRaLinkup, Holley Gerth’s Coffee for your Heart, and Jennifer Dukes Lee’s Tell His Story. Check […]
Kelly, this is such an encouraging post! My breakout is to not worry about statistics, but write from my heart and let God do with it what He will. Blessings to you, sweet sister!
This is so profoundly true, “Many of the “Great Remarkables” became remarkable because they stopped caring if the world called them remarkable and they just followed God.”, and a reminder to let our hearts yearn to please and entertain His applause.
Thanks, Kelly!
Blessings,
Dawn
[…] This is my nineteenth blog post for the Write 31 Days challenge, which I signed up to four days late. It is also a #RaRa (Purposeful Living) Link-Up. […]
[…] Wednesdays, Whole Hearted Home, Word Filled Wednesdays, Tell His Story, Three Word Wednesday, the RaRaLinkup, and A Little R& […]
[…] up with Holly Barrett’s Testimony Tuesday, Kelly Balarie’s RaRaLinkup, Holley Gerth’s Coffee for your Heart, and Jennifer Dukes Lee’s Tell His Story. Check […]
[…] time! – SUBSCRIBE HERE! | I’m sharing this post with: Not Just Homemaking Party | #RaRalinkup | Intentional Tuesday | Testimony […]
[…] up with Crystal Storms at #IntentionalTuesday, Kelly Balarie at #RaRaLinkup, Susannah Kellogg at #FaithandFellowship and Missional Women at […]
[…] Linking up with Kelly Balarie: […]