like a caged animal...

Those of you who read the last post know that Jamie and I just got a dog on Friday. He came from the pound where he was crated for most of the day (a good thing for us now since he is already crate trained). The interesting thing is that now that he has freedom to roam around most of the day and only be in his crate when we aren't here or are in bed, there are times when he would prefer to just go lay in his crate. It is familiar to him, his comfort zone.

As I was reflecting on this, I began to realize that it is much the same way we act in our walk with Christ. We are absolutely free in Him but often we prefer to stay in our cage of comfort and familiarity. What will happen if we branch out? What will happen if we take that first step of faith? What will happen if we run in complete freedom after God? What will happen if we let go of our fear of the unknown and instead live in the presence of the All-Knower?

Why do we continue to live in captivity instead of embracing our freedom?

I love how Charlie Hall describes our freedom in Christ in his song, "Chainbreaker":

You are free
You are free
Yeah the Son has set you free
Drop your chains
Sons and daughters
Come and run in liberty

Maybe we don't realize the power that is in our freedom, that it is something we should run to and rejoice in . We are free from so many things that chain others and yet we don't take advantage of: societal roles and classes, injustice, worry, death, despair...just to name a few. Isaiah puts it this way and Jesus affirms that this is the reason He came to earth:

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

Not only does Christ set us free, he exchanges the things that enslave us for so much more. Today, I pray that you live in the freedom Christ has given you and take full advantage of your crown of beauty, oil of gladess and garment of praise in times of mourning and despair. Because when we truly live in freedom, not only are we blessed, but we display the Lord's splendor to a world in chains.