“Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:35-36
I am free, forgiven, and new. Jesus is in my life and my heart. I have no doubt. Yet, I still find chains wrapped around my mind. Shame beats me to the ground. My old self looks back at me from the mirror. Why?
There was a time when the nation of Israel was held as slaves in Egypt. The Egyptians were cruel slave-drivers. The Israelites were desperate. They cried out to God, and the entire nation was led, they literally walked, out of slavery. What did they do on the other side? They sang God’s praises! They used their freedom to become the best people they could be! They went to Disney World!
No. They didn’t know what to do with themselves. Life got hard and they wanted to go back. The familiarity of slavery seemed more logical than the blind faith that living in freedom required. Their bodies were free, but their minds kept returning to Egypt.
This is what I do. I think back to the familiar days of slavery, and my mind stays there. I forget that I am free.
Like Israel, my ticket to freedom was a one-way ticket. I walked out of slavery, crossed the desert, and have arrived at the door of God’s promises. Now, I will only look back to remember what God has done. Never to return. Are you with me?
“…for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.” Deuteronomy 17:16b
Words Lived 