Slave or Free?

“Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir” Galatians 4:7

I was clearing out my wardrobe at the weekend and as I looked through garments that either didn’t fit me anymore or that I simply didn’t wear I asked myself the question – Am I a slave to fashion? Am I bound by looking good and dressing a particular way. What about you are you a slave to fashion?

When we think of a slave we often think of someone physically in chains, however you don’t have to be in chains to feel like you have been imprisoned. A slave is someone that is bound by something that has control and or influence over them. Perhaps today you feel enslaved, trapped to whatever has captured you. It may be that you are a slave to the past; alcohol, drugs, money, or maybe you are a slave to fear. Negatively trapped by whatever has bound you, by whatever has captured your heart and mind.

There is a story in Acts 16:16-40 where Paul and Silas are met by a female who is a slave. Her master had made a lot of money exploiting her however that day she was freed by God’s servants. Those that had used and abused her were not happy and they had Paul and Silas arrested. How ironic that they were imprisoned for setting this woman free and they ended up in chains. The amazing thing about this story, and the message for us today, is that although in chains physically, Paul and Silas’s hearts were free. The Bible tells us that during the midnight hour, that time of night where the darkness appears and all your fears are magnified, instead of looking to their circumstances, instead of allowing their fears to overtake them, they began to sing praises to God. They made God master over their troubles “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance”. (Psalm 32:7). Because they knew that God was bigger and stronger than any problem that raged against them.

They took their eyes off their fears and “Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose”. (V26) - They were free. The amazing truth was that these men were already free in their hearts and it was that truth that gave them the courage to sing no matter what situation they found themselves in. What is holding you down today? Keeping you locked in chains? Today might just be the day that your shackles come off. By trusting that God has the key to unlock you from whatever binds you. Why not hand your troubles to God and allow him to break down those walls around you so that you may be free to dance and sing.

You unravel me, with a melody You surround me with a song Of deliverance, from my enemies Till all my fears are gone I'm no longer a slave to fear I am a child of God

(No longer slaves - lyrics by Bethel Music)

Until next time

Debbie