From my experience in doing and seeing this sort of thing, it usually begins with a desire to change one thing that we most times don't care for about ourselves or that others don't like about us or that keeps us in tight spots with family, employers, the law, etc. Half the time, give or take 4-% we don't really want to change that one thing at first. What we would much rather do is suddenly be able to control what is now controlling us and or to engage in the behavior, whatever that behavior might be, with impunity, without negative consequences.
But when we finally come to a place of brokenness and realize that we're never going to have either of those options, we agree, often reluctantly, to change, to give it up, to quit. That's not really wanting to be changed, and we haven't even started on the rest. What about the other things we saw and realized about ourselves when we took that honest inventory and when we spoke to someone else about it? Well, I don't see what my anger and insecurity have to do with my spending money I can't afford to spend, or my drinking, or my laziness or my.... Just for the sake of argument, let's pretend that's the case. All the other things we learned and discovered have nothing to do with the one thing that we need desperately to be set free from, whatever that may be. Can we at least be honest enought to admit that we see where they've caused us problems and or damage? Can we see where they have brought harm to others and to our relationships with others?
In that case, even if they have nothing to do with the bondage we are trying to address, there is no question they are part of our normal life outside the will of God. That's bondage too. The chains that bid us are all linked together with anything and everything that we refuse to surrender to God. Everything that we continue to do out of habit or self will or desire that is not what God wants us to do is bondage, whether it feels bad yet or not. We claim to have surrendered our will and life over to Christ's care. As the song says,
I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back. The cross before me, the world behind me, no turning back.
The world that we are walking away from includes our will and way of ruling our own life. This is where we find out how serious we were about the whole Lord, I give you my life to use and to do with as You please. I surrender idea. If we were honestly at a place of surrender and still are, then the list of things that hurt and hinder our relationship with our Creator is something we are going to want Him to change about us. The things that make that surrender difficult we're going to be desperate to let go of. And if we are not ready, we must pray and ask to be made ready and willing to let go and have all the things that are outside His will for us removed from us.
Having that moment of brokenness and clarity where we realize that we're slaves is not that huge an event really. I've seen and been the kind of drinker who knows he can't quit and just says something to the effect of oh well, I'm a drunk, and drunks drink. That man or woman may see their chains, and in a moment of pain or fear of some consequence, may realize that only God can help as they pray and pretend to surrender forever if only God will remove the consequence of whatever mess or trouble they have placed themselves in. We even have a morbid fascination with self examination at times, that can just be used as an excuse to continue in bondage. My life has always been this way. I do this every time. There's no point in trying to fight it or change. This is just who I am. We can even admit that to someone else. None of that brings about change. None of that will set us free.
The point where freedom begins is where we become willing to let God change the things about ourselves that our outside of His will, that are damaging our relationship with Him, whether we hate or whether we love that attitude, behavior, activity, sin. If we were ready when we surrendered, some change may have already occurred, but no lasting freedom can be found without this sixth step. Do you want to be free? If so, then you have to be willing to let God make whatever changes He deems necessary to set you and keep you free. Not ready, but still want to be free? Ask God to make you willing to submit to His molding willingly. You're stuck until then. No real progress can be made without the willingness to let God change us, so if we refuse to do that, we might as well shift our chains around to the most comfortable position we can manage and resign ourselves to staying slaves. Freedom is waiting though, calling out name. His name is Jesus. He says if we're tired of those chains we can come to Him and trade them in for something light and easy to carry.
Unshackled Life Ministries is grateful for every person that reads the daily Unshackled Moments and or listens to the messages. I want to thank those who have clicked "like" on something that blessed or ministered to them. It is encouraging to know that God is using this ministry to help and bless others. Please remember that if God used something from this ministry to help, encourage or bless you, it could also bless someone else. Would you help get the devotions to more people by sharing the Moments and messages that you read or listen to? Hitting the share button instead of or in addition to the like button will help us reach more people with the good news of freedom and the encouragement to live an Unshackled Life. Thank you and God bless.
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