Bound Up In Knots?

As children, my sisters and I played a game where we tied one another up in blankets and then timed one another to see how long it would take to get free. Being the smallest I easily freed myself, squirming between small openings. One day, my sisters decided they were going to make sure I didn't win; they tied knots all over.

"Ok, Julie, you can start now!"

I maneuvered around, looked for openings, and after multiple failed attempts began to get nervous. I asked for help. But my sisters decided to let me struggle for awhile. I became frantic.

"Let me out! I screamed.

"Someone PLEASE Help me!"
 
I kicked and flailed around...thrashing back and forth to free myself. But, I was trapped. Powerless. Bound. Afraid.

Friends, sometimes life is like that. We get involved in something that started out harmless, something that seemed like fun, and then...unexpectedly it traps us. A small Flirtation ties our emotions. A small white lie cause distrust. Selfish acts breaks up a relationship. A seemingly insignificant comment hurts a friend. Plans made devoid of God's input binds weights of pressure. And our demands of "our rights" or our justification of " why we should be exempt" ensnares us to an addiction.

But it's not just outward sins that ensnare us...sometimes its the way we think, the voices we listen to, or the fears we entertain.

Today, I felt prompted to share a verse from Isaiah 52, verse 2...it says, "Shake yourself from the dust, rise up, O captive Jerusalem: Loose yourself from the chains around your neck, O captive daughter of Zion."

Friends, we must determine to shake off every chain that entangles us...gossip, fear, insecurity, lust, drunkenness, pride...ah...the list could go on and on...and NONE are exempt. HOWEVER...though NONE are exempt, ALL can CHOOSE FREEDOM!

Repentance is turning from an undesired action toward GOD. And, the sooner we do that, the less entangled we become.

I'm also painfully aware that for some reading today may be completely ensnared...the blankets of our life have entrapped us and we can't get out! NOTHING is more frightening than being trapped...but...here is good news...GOD HAS NOT LEFT YOU! AND HE PROMISES us in Isaiah 41:13, "For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." (NIV)

In Psalm 91:14-16 He says, "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation." (NIV)

Friend, you are not alone. You may feel trapped. You be bound up in lots of little knots. You may be so entangled that you can't get out on your own...but...the good news is GOD IS WITH YOU. CALL ON HIM. And He will answer your cries for help and set you free.

PRAYER: Father, help us. Free us. Empower us to live for You. Change our desires to honor You. Fill us with Your Presence. Demonstrate Your love for us today. Calm our fears. Give us life. In Jesus name, amen.