Until All Are Free
/"There are no chains in the court of King Jesus." (Spurgeon)
Do you hear it? Do you hear the sound of chains that have shackled God's people falling off of them and landing in a thunderous heap? The hope of hearing that very sound is why I love disciplining other women. Yes, I can imagine--as I intentionally and faithfully pray--an army of women rising up, marching in unison--their voices declaring the praises of but ONE! It's not a lofty platform upon which I stand declaring this freedom. Oh, no, my friends---like you, I struggle. Positionally, I AM free in Christ. Experientially, I am BECOMING free. But I remember well the days when I saw no freedom in sight, when my experiences--my circumstances--blinded me to my true position in Christ. So many scars and wounds bound me tightly. And painful memories seemed to be set on replay. But when you get sick and tired of being sick and tired, something rises up within you...And so it was that I penned the following words--
The chains that fetter me aren't the normal kind--
Around my wrists and feet you'll find no iron or rope...
Instead, memories old and new and wounds scarred and fresh bind...
They hold me fast and mock my hope;
The chains that fetter me aren't the normal kind--
Around my wrists and feet you'll find no fabric or steel...
Instead, fastened to yesterday, with slowed gait, I lag behind...
They grip with pain and capture my will;
The chains that fetter me aren't the normal kind--
Around my wrists and feet you'll find no straps or ties...
Instead, movie reels play a command performance in the mind...
They shatter my peace and flood with lies;
Perhaps, not iron or rope, fabric or steel, straps or ties; but chains are chains nonetheless--
My Savior beckons me to catch a glimpse of who I've been made to be...
Removing the Band-Aids, uncovering my deepest needs, He alone can soothe and dress...
Step by step, memory by memory, I rise up and become free!
And so, dear ones, I go back often to these words....Standing in an auditorium filled with over a thousand other ladies last February, I was reminded anew of the passion inside of me. Yes, as long as I have breath my battle cry will be, "Until all are free!" So my ears are attuned, my hands are reaching, my feet are ready, and my voice cries to all within shouting distance--" If you could see the woman God has created you to be, you would rise up and never be the same!" Let the chains fall!