Breaking the Chains

Have you ever felt like you were living in chains?  Over the course of time, that's what sin, negative attitudes, selfish ambition, poor daily habits, and even tradition (especially valuing tradition above relationships) can do to you.   In fact, you may not even know that you are in chains, but these links can hold you down nonetheless.  A few days ago, I listened to a man in a conversation at church and was surprised by the number of people that he slammed through negative overtones and explicit criticism.  After this conversation concluded, I wondered about the chains on this man's heart.  I wondered if he was unable to experience the daily blessings of God due in part to his negative spirit that seemed to have become a chain on his faith.

Jesus stated to the Jews who had believed in Him:
 "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  (John 8:31-32)

Apparently, there were many who refused to believe in Jesus as the truth, as the messiah sent from God, and they only wanted to rely on their tradition.  Anything otherwise, they would criticize.  They were God fearing, but they were not God hearing! (8:47)  Whenever God speaks, He may do so through a new voice other than the one of tradition and heritage.  As children of Abraham, many of the Jews believed that they were covered, their sin was redeemed and their attitudes mattered not.  This they believed was true simply because they were born Jewish.  However, Jesus makes claim to be the Messiah and God Himself when He states, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I AM!"  (8:58)  At this the people picked up stones in an effort to stone Jesus because He is making claim to deity.  If only they had listened to the truth.  If only their hearts had softened, their tradition had not been so deeply rooted that they were unwilling to change and their spirit had been willing to yield to what God was doing in their midst.  Instead, their lack of faith and unwillingness to change (or even listen to the Lord Jesus) led them into the deep pit of pride and sin.

This would never happen today would it?   Would anyone, including you and me, ever fail to listen to what Jesus wanted to do in our lives, family, church and community?  Could you ever turn your heart against a movement of God simply because the change was too difficult to grasp?  Could you ever pick up a stone in opposition to what God is doing and the messenger God has sent?  Could you ever be filled with a critical spirit that tears others down instead of building others up?  Is it possible that you are living in chains and don't even know it?  Until we were separated from the chains, we do not know fully the power and presence of God in our lives.

A few years ago, I wrote this poem as a confessional during my personal daily devotional in a season where I needed to turn to God to overcome some things that were binding me.  I pray the Lord blesses you with the same freedom that I experience through Him!

Breaking the Chains

One of these days,
I'm gonna break the chains.
One of these days,
I'm gonna walk away.

I'm gonna break these chains that bind me.
I'm gonna walk away and find me.
One of these days,
I'm gonna break the chains.

This is the day that I'm gonna break these chains!
This is the day that I'm gonna walk away!
 Jesus I pray you break these chains that bind me!
Jesus I want to walk away and find thee!
This is the day I am gonna leave these chains!