What does it mean to you to be held in captivity? My friends coming out of incarceration might have a perspective on that. Those of us who battle addictions will have a perspective on that. So, what holds you captive? Sin is always a good answer. The sin might not be our own, it may be someone else’s. Yet it may stir us into sins of own.
How, then, do we get free from captivity? Is it simply a matter of waiting until our time is up to be set free? Or can we find freedom even in our captivity?
Ezekiel offers an interesting option: we take care of other people’s needs instead. How does this change where we are? It might not. But a change of focus away from our own woes has to change our outlook on everything else. That is something within our control, something we have agency over. Perhaps when it’s not ‘all about us’ we can find power to then gain better control over addictions, habits that bind us, past hurts that hold us captive.
‘Words come so easily but they’re harder to keep. If you really love me, feed my sheep.’
Feed My Sheep - VCB Home of Gospel Music
One of the biggest things that hold us captive is not letting go of how others have hurt us. Grudges. Or our negative thinking.
I often ask my little congregation, ‘Who are you?’ Their answer - which is a correct one - ‘A child of God’. And what about that person who you have a beef with, or has hurt you, or might stand in your way. Who are they? ‘A child of God.’ Does that perspective change how you think of them? How you interact with them?
We have much to be forgiven for. We likely have much to let go of. ‘Shallow faith that has left us broke... a slave to our uncertainty, help us with our unbelief.’
O God Forgive Us - King and Country
Ezekiel offers the great image of dry bones coming alive. Perfect for this time of Halloween and Dia de los Muertos . What does the image of reanimating dry bones mean to you? What has died in you that can be brought back to life?
‘As we look down the road where all the prodigals have walked, One by one the enemy has whispered lies and led them off as slaves... With the faith you’ve given us, we step into the valley unafraid. Breathe the breath of God.’
Lauren Daigle - Come Alive (Dry Bones)
What if we could rewind and do things differently? Where would we find the little turning point that changes our course?
‘I speak the name of Jesus over you, I pray that the fear inside would flee. He’s the God of Possible, Come believe, Come receive.’
In Jesus Name (God of Possible) - Katy Nichole
This is a path of healing. A path to liberty.