Ep 23: Finding Freedom in Limits: A conversation with Alan Noble

In this conversation, Alan Noble helps us name the weight we all feel in a world that tells us we must be everything on our own. Drawing from his book You Are Not Your Own, Alan invites us to imagine a different kind of freedom, one found not in limitless choice, but in belonging to a loving God. Alan talks about the exhaustion of modern life, the grace of limits, and the practices of gratitude and attention that can reorient us. This is a conversation about recovering our humanity and remembering that we were never meant to carry the world alone.

 

Takeaways:

• Freedom isn’t found in endless choice, it’s found in belonging.

 

• Gratitude and attention are small rebellions.

 

• Modern life is heavy, but we were never meant to carry it alone.

 

• The fruit of our labor belongs to God. (Our work has meaning not because it’s impressive, but because it’s offered back to Him.)

 

• Love people for who they are, not for what they achieve.

 

Episode field note: Get to know someone really well

When we move beyond surface conversations and risk true connection, we start to see one another as we are, not as we present ourselves to be. That kind of knowing creates room for compassion, for shared humanity, for healing.

Bearing each other’s burdens isn’t about fixing what’s broken. It’s about standing close enough to feel the weight and say, “You’re not alone in this.”

 

Resources and links:

Alan’s website

Alan’s book w/ IvPress

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This episode is brought to you by Spiritual Leadership, Inc

Head to spiritual-leadership.org to take a look at resources for ministry leaders.