"Mom, there's a BIRD in our house!" My son's startled yell got my attention, and I went running. Sure enough, a bird had somehow gotten into our home, and was obviously trapped. Flitting from room to room, he fled from our help for the longest time. We finally cornered him in one room, closed the door, peeking and listening closely. To my amazement, I saw him perched on the bedroom dresser, watching himself in the mirror! I quickly dropped a plastic box over him, entrapping him. Slowly and carefully, I slid him out the patio door to freedom. I suppose you could say that his vanity was his downfall--but it really was his savior. He was free--all because someone bigger than he, had come to his rescue. He didn't know it, but he was being "boxed in" to be set free!
We Americans celebrate freedom this week--and indeed, we ARE outwardly a free people. A blessed people. And so we act--free as a bird! But many times, it IS just an act--for deep inside us we are "boxed in," be the boxes big or small--hidden bondages, dark oppressions, and secret fears that bind, burden, and entrap us. We're NOT free as birds--we're trapped just like the clueless bird in the Bohanon home! Is there Someone bigger than we are who can free us? Come with me to the Well--you will meet Him there!
A Helping Word...or Two!
Trapped by Doubt?...Thomas was...he wanted to believe so badly; he loved his Lord, and yet, something inside him could not trust the One he loved. Doubt held him back, but not for long! For Somebody bigger than Thomas walked into the room, and outstretched His hands. He spoke, and Thomas melted. "Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief."
Somebody bigger than you is waiting to free you from doubt--He may not walk visibly into your room, but as you wait in His presence, in prayer and in the Word, His love and peace will fill your heart. Assurance will replace your doubts. You will KNOW, with an inner knowing, that He is indeed the "way, the truth, and the life." And you will be set free to trust Him as never before!
Trapped by Despair?..Mary Magdalene was...she had lost her Lord; she had lost all hope. Kneeling in the garden, she sobbed in despair, and then she heard a voice. Was it the gardener, she thought? And then, Someone bigger than Mary called her name, and despair gave way to delight. Her Master was alive; the despair was lifted; she was set free to love and worship her Lord!
Somebody bigger than you is waiting to free you from despair--He may not audibly call your name, but deep within your heart, you will hear His voice. "Why art thou cast down...hope thou in God!" The darkness of the moment is not forever, for HE is in control! The bondage of despair will break way to His glorious delight, and you too will be set free to love and praise your Lord!
Trapped by Darkness?...Joseph was...deep in the dark pit, he awaited his dreadful fate, whatever it might be. Trapped by the jealousy of his brothers, was he to stay in the darkness forever? No, it was all in God's plan. The darkness of the pit became the darkness of the prison--bondage for sure, but still God's plan! For Somebody bigger than Joseph was watching. The darkness was just a waiting time for the dream--a preparation time for better things--and it happened. In God's time, Joseph was set free--free to love his brothers who had wronged him, and thus free to serve the Lord!
Somebody bigger than you is watching--and HE will free you from "your present darkness." He is the Light of the world--in Him IS no darkness--He will walk WITH you in the darkness, but most importantly, THROUGH the darkness. He will enable you to love those who have wronged you. As Corrie ten Boom once said, "His love is deeper than the deepest pit!" Whatever dark pit you find yourself in--lean on Him, learn of Him, and He will light your way into HIS freedom, and into a love that only He can give!
Back to the bird in the box! The bondage was not meant to FINISH him but to FREE him--only he didn't know it. God's plan is to free you too; you just can't see it right now. He's working behind the scenes, why not rejoice; for your freedom is at hand! Somebody bigger than you is about to free you--to believe, to hope, to love once again; and to sing praises to His Name!
And that's just a word or two--from my heart to yours!
His Healing Word
"...ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32 KJV)."
"Lord, we thank You for freedom we know as Americans--to live, work, and worship as we choose. Most of all, we thank You for freedom we may know as Christians--to believe, to hope, and to love! Free us from the bondages of doubt, despair, and darkness that we may praise Your Name! Amen."
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