Last summer, we got a puppy. Our daughter wanted to name her “Rock Star,” so we settled on “Roxy.” On the exact same day we brought Roxy home, our neighborhood association sent out a notification of a newly-enacted bylaw: “Fences are now prohibited” (perfect timing, huh?). As a temporary solution, we used a lead line staked in our backyard for potty breaks.
A few weeks later, I was having some quiet time on the back deck, and I decided to free her from the lead line so she could run around a little. For awhile, she stayed with me on the deck and then, after exploring the deck, cautiously stepped onto the lawn.
I carefully watched her to make sure she wouldn’t run off, but interestingly, she didn’t venture farther than what the line allowed her to go before (despite the large yard in front of her). In fact, not only did she stay within the bounds of the line “perimeter,” she actually picked up the end of the line in her mouth and took it with her wherever she went! Although she was free, she assumed she wasn’t because of where she could only go before. Maybe she felt a sense of security from the line…
What are you hanging onto from your past?
Guilt?
Shame?
Contempt?
Doubt?
Fear?
Why are you letting those things define who you are and what you’re capable of?
The enemy feeds you lies to ensure you carry all that garbage with you: “You don’t deserve it…You should be ashamed of yourself…They were right to leave you…You’re worthless…How dare they hurt you? Seek revenge…Don’t ever forgive them…You’ll fail if you go that way…Don’t trust God—how could He love you? Look what you’ve done.” Does any of this sound familiar? Believing those lies makes you hang onto his line, keeping you contained.
Now, for the truth…you’re FREE! JESUS already set you free. You just need to realize it, ask for forgiveness, and follow Him!
If you’re gonna tie yourself to something, tie yourself to God, and He will take you places that you NEVER knew you could go.
“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11
Purple Petunia 