For Freedom

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."

I wasn't always free. Hard to believe, in this society of self-sufficiency, raised in a Christian family, where people believed in me. But true freedom is a pretty new concept to me.

You see, when I was just a little older than three, the enemy came in with his deceit and stole what was dear to me. My innocence, rubbed in the dirt, along with my worth, it made my little heart hurt. Hard to understand, I foolishly took his hand; he offered what I could not have, and I wanted it--so into the darkness I ran.

Fear gripped me so tightly I could feel its prickly rope around my neck tightening, tightening, till I was gasping for breath. I gave into his twisted lies, because if I didn't I'd lie awake through the night, gazing at the shadows and shivering with fright. So he took my mind.

Confusion like a cloud hovered all around, my life a blur, lost in the sound of chaos and questions and many, many doubts.

I was a child in chains, filled with shame I could hardly contain, yet unsure from what source it came. Unsatisfied with who I was, I tried in vain to cover up.

The story goes much deeper, but let me get to the end. Because I met a God who became my friend. I never  got how his love could never end--but then I reached my end, and there he was, waiting for me. I could hardly believe he still loved me, after all I'd done to him. I'd made a deal with his enemy. I'd given myself away freely. I'd said, "Do what you want with me." My goodness--what was I thinking?

But there was God, his love never-ending. He tore me away from the demons around me--the ones that lurked in my room and kept me awake, that messed with my mind in the night and in the day. Jesus Christ himself set me free.

My enemies, he destroyed with his sword; my mind, he renewed with his word.

He brought me out of darkness, into his light. His glorious, beautiful light. And I finally had sight! To see him for real, for the first time--to see his true character, and taste eternal life!

He really can break chains--he broke mine, he'll break yours. In his name alone is your hope secure.

If he can pull me out and set me free. He can surely do anything. Let's just trust him and see!!