Chains.
Shackles.
Restraints.
Bondage.
We throw the phrase “breaking chains” out a lot in the Christian/world race world. Breaking the chains of this or that or the chains binding us to sin. We break them off because they are heavy and they weigh us down. They restrict us from living in freedom.
And that is all fine and dandy and fantastic; but the reality is, it’s no good and it’s not helpful if we never choose to put our chains down. They weigh the same in our hands then they did wrapped around our body. And if were holding them, our hands are full. So I have to ask; what good is it to break the chains, if we’re never going to set them down?
I realized that I’ve been carrying around broken chains. There are so many things in my life that the Lord has already freed me of and redeemed me from yet I’m still carrying around the chains. It’s silly, if you ask me. I was thinking a lot about why people would choose to carry their chains with them; and I can’t speak for everyone but I can speak for myself. I think of holding on to my chains as continuing to sit in something that I’m supposed to walk out of. But I continue to wallow in it and continue to “process it”. So why do I stay in it?
I’m comfortable there. I can still be weak there and I feel okay still messing up there. Heck; there were a lot of chains I couldn’t forgive myself for. A lot of things I had done in my life that I couldn’t imagine forgiveness for. Recently the Lord had me write out all of sins I can remember throughout my life on a piece of paper. And then he spoke to me; saying “see, they are all on the same page. Not one is greater or set apart from the rest.” He told me to rip up the piece of paper and he showed me that His blood covers all my sins. Not just some of them. All of them. They are all wiped out. And I experienced true freedom for the first time. I realized then; that my chains broken or not had been defining me. And that’s not okay. I am first and foremost a new creation in Christ. I am not my broken chains. I am not my past. Yes those are things I have walked through and learned from, but they are not my identity.
There’s almost a fear sometimes of walking out on the other side because it means growing and being greater. Its commitment to being better and well if were being honest, commitment terrifies me. But the truth is, I’m called to greatness. We all are. Were called to a life above and beyond. We’re not called to sit and wallow and wallow and wallow and wallow. YES; processing is necessary and healing is necessary, but come on ya’ll. Were called to get off our butts and walk out of it. The Lord breaks the chains so that we can leave them at his feet and walk in complete freedom. So; quit carrying your chains. Find freedom. It’s there. Complete freedom is there. And let me tell you it’s amazing. Get up off your stinking butt, lay your chains; all your chains; at his feet and walk. Walk in the freedom and redemption He has for you. Walk in greatness.
