A Captive set free

Recently, I was invited to speak to a small group of young women. As the evening began, the ladies introduced themselves with their names and a little about themselves. By the time this ice-breaker had made itself half-way around the room, words that I myself have so often spoken bubbled up and out of this beautiful, strong, and very capable young mother and wife. They emerged dressed in their very familiar robes of shame and worthlessness... As her beautiful head hung low she mumbled, "My name is __________ and I am JUST a mom and a student." Much like myself in the past, she had misplaced her hope and identity in her Earthly position, rather than understanding the fullness of her position in Christ. Ephesians 2:6-7 says, "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus."

Oh! The battle cry for hope and Truth that sprung up in my heart was all but mutable. For I am all too familiar with the lies of the enemy that speak death and destruction to the hopes, the dreams, and the life of those who find themselves in places of productivity that seem less than they once believed they were capable of. I looked into those precious young eyes and said, " You are more than JUST a mom and a student. You are all of that and more in Christ Jesus! And that is a big deal." I remember someone once looking in my eyes and complimentarily saying, "You are a force to be reckoned with." In Christ, as born again believers, we are forces to be reckoned with that have eternal ramifications regardless of what position we may feel we are held captive to.

Daniel was a young man when he is swept up and brought into the captivity of Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. This was his next season of life and was probably not exactly what he had in his calendar of events for the next 70 years. Nonetheless, he enters in having "resolved to not defile himself" and is tested for 10 days and found better than others. He is given knowledge, understanding, and the ability to understand visions and dreams by God. In other words, He gets equipped to be favored before man and to rise above the coming circumstances. He gives God all the credit for His shining abilities and his captor, King Nebuchadnezzar, is found laying prostate before Daniel worshiping God! God took care of Daniel. Daniel maintains his hope in God and God remains faithful to Daniel. There's this beautiful dance of faithfulness between the two of them that you just can't miss! All in the face of captivity!

We see it again in chapter 3. The king quickly forgets the God Daniel serves and sets up an idol for all to worship. Daniel and his friends remain steadfast in their worship of God alone, refusing to worship other's idols, and henceforth are charged with death in the fiery furnace heated to seven times its norm. And again, his hope is in the Lord. He and his friends courageous reply is, " O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O King. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O King, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."(Daniel 3:16-18) Daniel understood what we read in Romans 8:38-39, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Where the love of Christ is there is life, and life abundant. We see God with them in the fire, their lives are spared, and Nebuchadnezzar is left in awe once again. Daniel 3:28, then Nebuchadnezzar said,'Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God."

Our seasons, regardless of how they feel, are not really about us. They are not happenstance. In our unrelenting trust in the Father, others get to see Him rise up and join us in the midst of the captivity and the circumstances that were intended for our harm. Hopefully, they too will worship and trust Him as a result. I mean, really. Is there anything more humbling and thrilling than to get to see others worship the God of all creation because of what He has done in and through you? Pure joy.

But, unfortunately we look beyond the opportunities that lay before us and with great ease, we allow our eyes to settle on the "captivity" and on what dreams are not being fulfilled in the present. We lack a full understanding of what it means to be His and have Him in us. We assume permanence of our situation and underestimate the power and the strength and the might we have in Christ Jesus. These gifts have been freely given to us so that our influence, which is really Christ in us, in any given situation, would be maximized for His glory. So whether, you are in the throws of parenting, being CEO in corporate America, living in homelessness, working retail, walking in singleness, being pressed by persecution, or preaching from the pulpit, you have influence. Use it for His glory by putting your hope in His abilities and not your own.

Be alert. We can see in this that in the midst of what seems like captivity, we are at risk for defiling ourselves to bring our own relief of the temporary circumstances. You might be thinking great...But, how does one defile himself? Jesus says it this way in Mark 7:20-23, "And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

There is no "position" in this life on Earth that is not prone to become a place drudgery with a feeling of captivity and the temptation to bring forth our own means of relief- which is typically one form of sin or another because it's not done in faith... "No one can please God without faith, for whoever comes to God must have faith that God exists and rewards those who seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)

Being captive to Christ at all times in all circumstances is the only position that true freedom exists. May you see His equipping, His providence, and His provision in the midst of it all. Be encouraged in who He is and hope in Him. Do not defile yourself when pressures arise, but honor Him in every portion of your life that others might see Him faithful and choose to worship Him as well. Remember that even in the face of death, He is with you. The author of life can still accomplish much. He wastes nothing. Pursue Him.

Galatians 6:8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see...

Spend sometime today worshipping Him and pondering your freedom and position in Christ! Click on the link below to hear "No longer Slaves"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k