Breaking Chains

Each day begins entwined with ritualistic moments. Moments that seem all to fleeting and often go unnoticed. Like thick fog blanketing a valley on a windless day, lives have become void of light and ever lost to the "thick" of the world. This may seem like a dismal notion, but is it not a truthful paradox? 

Some of you will surely believe that I have been taken astray from what is now considered the normal. I would agree with that notion. However, I am confident in these words as my confidence comes from beyond me. My heart is not my own but is rather filled with someone else. Because of this, I have experienced many revelations which I can never disremember. Truths which were never absent from me, but merely unrecognized. 

It is my belief that we have been adjudicated without a trial. Sentenced to wear weightless shackles that imprison our minds. Impalpable chains have tethered our dreams in a doorless place where leaving seems to be impossible. But these shackles are not forcibly put on but instead are willingly accepted. In this I ask, brothers and sisters, have you not seen what this world has offered you and the price that you will pay to receive its empty blessings? We have been misled.

Our enemy is real and like any other enemy, it exploits our weaknesses. Men now live rooted in lies, deceit, and unforgiveness. Heirs of the kingdom of God have turned from their creator and grown into pillars of tasteless salt. We didn't come to this place over night, no, every generation has laid the bricks of their own prison walls. Every living person has contributed to the growing grasp of Satan. Through sin and disobedience, we have stacked our walls high. 

Evil is rooted in our hearts from conception. Our enemy has been working for a long time to oppress and separate us from Christ. Fundamentally and systematically orchestrating the biggest betrayal of conscious history.  God has been removed from schools, careers, and family. Family Satan especially hates. For what house will fall when laid on an unshakable foundation? He knows this better than anyone. He delights when we fail each other and point blame. It is his intent to pluck you from your families embrace. Like lions on a hunt, he always comes for the prey separated from the herd. 

But is this grim truth really the end of our story? Has the towel been thrown and faith been forfeited? I say woe to you who think this. Woe to you who cannot see that evil, even with all of its trickery, has already been defeated. For God has defeated evil and exalted his name on high through his son, Yashua. Because of this, our lives are not fruitless branches but are the makings of the Lord's bountiful harvest. 

Our bindings are not physical, but spiritual. We must understand what they are before we can free ourselves from them. In my life, my shackles became obvious when I finally forgave myself, repented, and forgave others that had wronged me. My heart was filled with the Love of Yashua. Through Gods love and forgiveness, my mind was opened to a new understanding of what my "condition" was. I say condition because my symptoms were self-inflected and treatable. 

Work was the alter that I worshipped. Money was the heavy hammer that hardened my heart. I became consumed with achievement as if it would bring me true joy. I tell you that there is no joy in this. The desire for these things grows more over time. As my lust for worldly things grew, so did my addiction. Alcohol numbed me from my pain and allowed me to escape from the gravity of my doings. Again, the enemy knew my weakness and did not hesitate to act. Fear became anger, and my shame became my oppressor.

I was not alone in that feeling. Socially, fear has been weaponized against us. Family and friends torn because of differences or fear of one another. This fear only exists because we chose to deny Christ and fail to believe in the hope of his promises. Instead of faith, the world begs for hero's and lifts idols to settle their shifting hearts. But there is only one savior. 

Doubt increases when our fear grows. Is it not easier living in fear rather than having strength through faith? The temptation to hide our sins is far too easy in comparison to committing to Yashua. But, through repentance we can release ourselves from guilt and oppression. Repentance is an admittance that we are wrong. It is not easy to admit when we are guilty. We fear reprisal. Similar to how a child fears their parents' disapproval. But God is a loving Father. If you believe in him and repent, he will remember your sins no more. Fear requires not trust, not love, nor faith in God. Therefore, there is no sacrifice of oneself or limit to desire. Satan promises ease and a helping hand to rescue you. But when payment comes, it will be that very hand he offers that will strangle you. How can you see the beauty of God's blessings if you live in darkness and turn away from righteousness?

Beauty has no measure in darkness. Only light brings forth the means to observe it. Do crops grow without the sun? Do they not need water to keep their roots strong? Therefore, how can we grow without the living water? It is impossible. How can we see with our eyes shut? We must open our hearts and pray that only the Lord fills us. We must bring respect and love back to the table. We must dine together, taking communion with God. For his body is the bread given and his blood the wine we drink. We can no longer fear our station but need to relish in the hope that Yashua offers. I tell you, do not trust those who wish to rule over you. Do not put your life in the hands of any man who seeks this, for you will be trusting dead men. Those who seek to enslave you will deceitfully offer you freedom, but like a thief in the cover of night they will take everything from you. 

My friends, hear me when I say that we have been playing a game of attrition. One in which your soul is the victor's prize. Do not offer yourself as prisoners of this world, but as a prisoner for God. He who created you and made you heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven can deliver you from the very chains around your neck. I think back on Saul, once a persecutor of Christians, who through God's Grace became a minister for God. Do not be like Saul, who needed to be blinded and humbled by the Lord before seeing the righteous light. Rather, humble yourselves before God now. Ask for his guidance and trust that he will deliver. Only when we stand in God, can we separate ourselves from evil. For he is the light, the truth, and King of all things.

There are many ways that we can humble ourselves before God. Confessing our sins and being open to correction. Being thankful even when we are in great turmoil. Removing selfish ambitions and being completely open to his will. Submitting to his authority and accepting his love. Find peace in a lowly place, for it is the poor and powerless that will inherit his kingdom. Remove pride from your heart and keep a still tongue. Do not seek to hurt others with your words but to build up the ones around you. We do this to show by example God's Mercy and Grace. If you actively seek Yashua, these actions will come not as a burden but as a delight. Humility is not weakness, but strength in knowing that Yashua will deliver through our kindnesses. God demands love because he is love. Tell me, do you show love to others through sour words and slander? No, of course not. 

When we release ourselves from our worldly bonds, we begin to experience profound changes. Sins that once consumed our attention will be detested. Music that once filled your ears will now repulse you. You will find that you will no longer want the things of the past that imprisoned you. When our hearts begin to open, you will be able to admit your sins openly and build yourself stronger through faith. You will do this because you will come to an understanding that sins do not define you. For God has offered forgiveness to you through the sacrifice of his only son. He has extended his arms to embrace you. This doesn't mean that you can live in perpetual sin. When you walk in true faith, you no longer wish to sin but to please our Father. Take joy and peace in knowing that evil has already been defeated.