While I was at launch getting ready to leave for India God gave me a vision. I was in an open field and it was dark outside. There was a path leading into a dark forrest and I could only see the entrance. There at the entrance was Jesus, standing in front of the path, holding His hand towards me. He said, “Are you truly ready to let everything go and follow Me”. As He says this, I look at my hands and see chains wrapped around them, going down my arms. I knew they have been there a while because of the burned imprints engraved in my skin, from the weight of them that have been there so long. At the end of the chains where cylinder blocks with words inscribed on them. Words such as insecurities, relationships, worry, fear, doubt, and pride. Things of which I have never given up but have let chain me for so long. I look back up at Jesus seeing a smile on His face and His hands open as if waiting to receive something. He didn’t say anything, nor did He have to because I knew He was asking me to give those chains to Him, once and for all. To follow Him chain less unto a path I cannot see and a future I do not know. To trust Him and to follow down the dark path. I must give up everything to follow Him. Its hard and times unthinkable. I don’t want to, and part of me cringes knowing I need to. Then I think of Abraham and how his obedience to sacrifice his son blessed him beyond measure. I must sacrifice and crucify my flesh. I must become less and He must become greater.
And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:24)
Everyone has chains and we hold onto those chains. We let them burn into our flesh. The weight that wears us down. A weight that tires our spirit. A weight that hinders the soul. I hope that each and everyone of you will cast your chains upon the Lord for He shall give you rest. Imagine peace, joy, and a love unhindered. He who is set free is free indeed. Once you make that commitment to let go of everything and have complete abandonment can you truly be planted by rivers of water and grow the fruit in its season. You can follow Christ in wholeness and not partiality. Trust in Christ and follow Him down your dark path. You can’t know the worries and cares of tomorrow and you can’t see the future. That dark path will have stumbling blocks and challenges and hardships. But you can’t see them and you never will. Thats why its a dark path. Which gives us only one thing to do. Trust the one who can! Trust the light of this world that He may guide and lead you down the path that you may be steadfast in your faith, and run the race with endurance. Free of weight, free of chains and free of flesh. Live life free, as you are on your own race, your own adventure.
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:33-24)
