Thursday, August 30, 2012

Prison Break



“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15

I have been trapped in a spirit of oppression lately. I have labeled it work because that is the easiest thing to blame. There has been much stress there, but the main stress has been within myself. Sometimes we just lock ourselves up in prison all over again, even when we know down deep, that once upon a time Christ set us free.

The circumstances of life make us forget.

And I had to be honest. I had to admit, first of all,  that there were very valid reasons why I was stressed. Sometimes it doesn't help to label all the reasons why you shouldn't be stressed, or fearful, or depressed. I acknowledged my blessings.....I do everyday.

I see the pictures of the flooding, and the wrecked houses, and lives, and I know that is not me.

And I thank God everyday for what I have, and it is a lot. And everyday I have many moments of joy, but there was something that wasn't right under the surface.

And though I don't have to worry about food, or live in a mud hut, or fear that I might be raped at any second as so many women in other countries do.......or fear for my life.

The exhaustion I felt as I held my head in my hands yesterday was real. On the way to work today I felt much the same. Head pressed to the carpet, I prayed just to get up and go in. To put a step in front of the other and keep going in that direction.

For some reason, the words kept coming back to me when I was driving........

"My chains hit the ground.......my chains hit the ground......my chains hit the ground." Just like the song we sing in church just about every Sunday. Yesterday, it was the other song about freedom. "My sins are gone....I've been set free.....my God, my Savior has ransomed me..." and I didn't know why.

But now I do.

Because God wanted to tell me something. And this morning He whispered it to my heart so I could hear.
He said......."Lori, you need to embrace your freedom." Just that. And immediately I knew it was the truth because tears sprang. I had forgotten my freedom and put myself in a prison of my own making.

My chains are gone......I've been set free.

And today right now, I feel better. And another praise, a big one. Elaine passed all her Commercial driving tests today. There is now a new bus driver in the Apache Junction School District. A new path has opened for her, and I just know God is going to bless all those kids through her.

Thank you Lord!

3 comments:

  1. oh dear friend~
    I am so very glad you are out of prison! How often we can sit in the cell when the doors are wide open...
    I'm so thankful for His patience...
    Love, Debra

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  2. Hi Lori,
    Life sure can be hard, but praise God, we are set free in Christ Jesus! Thank you for sharing.

    I've been away from blogging for a few months now, but I'm back now. It is nice to visit your blog today.

    God bless,
    Ken

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  3. Hey glad to see you both! Why do we continue to lock ourselves up when Christ took the keys of death and hell and everything else in between! Thank you for your comments! Lori

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