So, before I get into this let me paint you the picture. On top of our four story building over looking Kathmandu, Nepal, we have a terrace on our roof that connects to another roof. We can see the neighbors steps going to a terrace one level higher than ours. Often throughout the day we do quiet times, read, write, or just bask in the beautiful surroundings of Kathmandu with the largest mountain range in the world, the prestigious Himalayas, in view from our roof.
The neighbors have a dog that we often see running up and down those stairs. Barking, howling, and just roaming the little freedom he has up there. While doing this, he has a chain dragging on the ground from his collar. A free leash you could say. This got me thinking as I sit from my hammock where I sleep each night up there.
How often do we walk around freely with a leash dragging behind us? How often do we say we’re free each morning but only get to roam as freely as the space that we provide for ourselves? We know Jesus died on the cross and paid for our pasts. Paid for our sins. Why do we act like we don’t believe it sometimes? How often do we drag this leash of bondage behind us for no reason? Roaming freely but attached to this leash of captivity. We talk ourselves in to believing that we’re free but we silently let our selves be captive to an owner that isn’t even there guiding us. The devil places this leash and then let’s us roam, laughing at the spectacle before him of a freely captive being. That we’re only as free as the idea of being free. We say this sin is behind us when it’s really clinching around our throat and slowing us down. Why hold on to this sin and bondage? Why hold on to these worldly possessions that the devil has placed in your hand and convinced you to grasp so tightly because “it’s all you have left”? That he, so impressively, has persuaded the world that it’s important. That by what you have in your hand presents your worth or value.
I’ve noticed this day in age that a lot of christians have this implied idea of a signing bonus when becoming saved. That you’ve already earned Gods blessings by being baptized or joining the family of God. That’s it’s an easy life from here on out because God is on your side. Even when, deep down, you’re not full heartedly invested in Him. But you’re saved, that’s what counts right? You stood in front of the church and dunked your head in some water so now it’s official right? Wrong.
Nothing against baptism. Its crucial and essential to being saved but remember that being saved is letting that leash of bondage, that’s connected to nothing I might add, fall from your neck. Let it all go up to the Father, each day. This isn’t a one time deal. There’s a reason going to your cross daily is mentioned so often. Addressing that you’re captive only by what the devil convinces you of and taking that to the lord and walking out the door to true freedom. A freedom that doesn’t confine you to a square footage. To eternal life. Acknowledging that there’s a fight in this. That the truth is, it costs what it costs and it never goes on sale. That it’s truly a sacrificed life. That it’s not about being comfortable. Lessons are made in the fight far from comfortability. That it won’t be easy because the captive is all we’ve ever known. But that’s no excuse when it comes to being free.
Our society has somehow clinched the concept that known bondage, most of the time, feels safer than unknown freedom without even realizing it. It’s a scary thing to step into the unknown but God has His hand gently placed on your back to guide the way. There’s no leash. There’s no chain. Only you can bring that into the picture. Only you can accept the captive freedom or choose to be set free without limit.
So face your giants and leave them on the leash and listen to the beautiful sound of those chains hitting the ground. Listen to that beautiful whisper in your ear saying “It’s all yours if you want it. Just trust me”.
Ask yourself, “Am I all in or am I still dragging a chain?”
Let it go.
