You Are Free


We used to own a Scottish Terrier which we aptly named, "Mullet." He was a bit of a neighborhood terror, and was convinced he was the king of the world. We loved him though and provided him with all he needed and then some. I grew up with dogs. They lived outside and other than food we never really gave them anything. My wife made Mullet part of the family so he had a raincoat, sweaters, little boots for the snow, and a stocking at Christmas. He was included in Christmas photos where my sons and I wore matching argyle sweaters while my wife wore trendy clothing that only matched via color scheme. You would think with all this attention Mullet would have been perfectly content to live with us. Such was not the case. Mullet lived his life on a mission to escape our home. Given the opportunity he would dart out the door and flee as though he had just broken out of a military prison camp. 
One day I was walking Mullet and the retractable leash broke. Mullet was 10 feet away from me. I knew if he realized he was free he would run for it with freedom echoing in his head, while I shouted things like, "Do you have a plan? Where are you going? The world is cruel and won't give you dog shoes!" I needed a plan.
I held the handle to the leash out and began to slowly walk back home at whatever pace Mullet chose. If he walked, I walked. If he paused, I paused. With our invisible leash between us I managed to walk him all the way home. He was free all along, but didn't know it.
The enemy of our souls loves to play the same trick on us. The Bible teaches us, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36. Yet, the devil wants you to believe you're still bound. So he tricks us into living in bondage to sin, although we are no longer chained. We go back to the same sins again and again believing we're trapped when we had the ability to live free in Christ all along.
When your adversary tries to lead you around with his invisible leash make a run for it. 
Live in the freedom that is yours in Christ. 

Following the Son,

James A Williams

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I Had What I Needed Today. I Always Do.

Image
Where’s the checkbook? I had searched high and low, and hadn’t been able to locate one. We rarely use checks for anything anymore, but I found myself in need of one. With my wife out of town I had called for some help. Sarai described to me where I would find them. In a red bag on top of a yellow bag under some sweaters beside the hamper in the spare bedroom. You may wonder why this is where we keep our checkbook. I may wonder why this is where we keep our checkbook. But after 28 years of marriage I’ve learned to not ask too many questions, and to stick primarily to nodding and smiling. I told her I loved her, followed the instructions, and soon had the checkbook in hand. Hmm? Next to the checkbook was a small blue folder that I immediately recognized. It’s where we keep our passports. I was a little surprised to find it here, because my wife was in Puerto Rico. You don’t need a passport to go to Puerto Rico, but my wife almost always carries hers with her when she travels. I
Read more

It’s My Turn To Be The Pop

Image
“ Children's children are a crown.” Proverbs 17:6 One year ago today my phone rang. I was looking forward to this call. “Hey, Dad. How are you?” “I’m alright.” (Standard response) He wasn’t alright. The cancer, chemo, and treatments had taken such a toll on him. This was Josiah’s birthday though. His first birthday. My Dad always called everyone in the family on their birthday and sang to them. He never missed anyone’s. It wasn’t pretty, and became a comical family joke yet we all looked forward to it.  I called for my son, Nathaniel, who brought his son, Josiah, over to the phone. I held the phone to Josiah’s ear and Nathaniel and I pressed in as we all listened to Dad sing. His voice was raspy and labored. Josiah’s eyes danced. Nathaniel and I smiled and laughed. Tears filled my eyes. He couldn’t stay on the phone long. He tired quickly and speaking was difficult. Josiah’s first time hearing his great grandfather sing Happy Birthday would also be his la
Read more

Christmas Reactions: A Look At The Responses To Jesus' Birth

Image
The reactions of children on Christmas morning can be priceless. The way their faces light up in response to the gifts, decorations, and lights communicates such wonder and awe. I have a grandson who is closing in on two. Sometimes when he sees things he literally gasps. So much of the world is still new to him. Just as I love a child's reaction, I love the reactions in the Christmas story to those who encountered the Christ child. The Bible uses specific words to describe many of the responses to seeing a baby unlike one they'd ever seen before, and the events surrounding his birth. Consider a few with me. Mary, " treasured ." (Luke 2:19) Mary so valued what was taking place that she "kept it in her heart." She would never forget these moments, and no doubt would draw strength from them later. Joseph, " marveled ." (Luke 2:33) From the beginning it had been too much to take in. He couldn't really wrap his brain around the m
Read more