In one of my novels, there’s this character. This beautiful beautiful character. A woman so striking other women envy her. Other women want to be her.
But her insides tell a different story. Because inside, she is broken. Not just kind of broken either. She is utterly and completely broken. Bound by the world. A slave to her beauty. To her figure. To the way men respond to her.
It consumes her.
She is not free.
And sadly, so many of us are the same.
We live in a country where slavery is illegal, yet so many of us are slaves.
To food. To sex. To approval. To work. To money. To alcohol.
The list goes on.
But in the midst of bondage, there is a key.
It comes from 2 Corinthians. A couple verses that I absolutely love:
I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Sometimes, the things that bind us feel impossible to escape. Sometimes, we find ourselves saying, “I can’t get over this.”
And we put so much emotion, so much emphasis, behind that word.
Can’t.
The truth is, we can’t. Not on our own. And Satan relishes in our weakness.
But maybe….
Maybe, Christ allows these thorns so we might turn to Him in a way we haven’t before.
Maybe, He wants us to learn that when temptation curls its sinewy fingers around our souls, the only way to escape is to hit our knees and cry out to the one who CAN.
Maybe, He wants to use our great weaknesses to magnify His great strength.
I’ve learned that true and lasting freedom comes through letting Him, and Him alone, be our master. Not work or sex or food or whatever else this world shoves in our face.
My prayer today, is that chains would be broken. That people would find freedom. Life-changing, heart-dancing, joy-inducing freedom in the only one who can give it. Jesus Christ.
Let’s Talk: Do you have that kind of freedom? Have you ever been a slave to something?
*Photo by Le Seigle Antoine
I love this post. I try to focus on when Paul said that he took up his cross daily. Being saved is not enough. Just like we must bathe daily and eat daily to maintain health, we have a spiritual side that needs to be nurtured as well–DAILY…and that might be the most impotant, yet most overlooked part. I know the world shoves a lot of idols in my face and unless I deliberately keep my eyes fixed on God, I will slip right into the bondange of idol-worship–as in getting my worth from work, people, money, status, looks, etc.
What a lovely post and I am so happy that you opened up your blog to new topics.
Kristen Lamb
Only when we're broken do we give Christ the opportunity to make us whole.
You're a beautiful writer.
Love ya, sister friend!
Beautiful post.
Oh, thank you for your boldness in this life-changing post.
Yes, I've been a slave, and have been set free by Jesus' love. So when I chose to walk into a trap of food or approval addiction, I know better.
The same love that undid the chains will keep them undone. If we let Him.
Great post! I feel that pure joy in my heart with Jesus and it magnifies at the strangest times. He knows how much I need him.
Love this, Katie. Sometimes I become a slave to perfection. But God slows me down and reminds me I'm me, flaws and all, and He loves me just the way I am.
"My grace is sufficient…" What a great way to start the morning. Thanks!
Really convicting post, Katie. Thank you for this.
I am a slave to the need to control. I often repeat the verse "Thy will be done" over and over like a mantra to help me relinquish the desire to control.
The one word that gets me more excited than any other is "freedom." To see someone set free is the happiest celebration ever! :O)
Wonderful post, Katie!
Hmmm… I feel like I'm a slave to a feeding pump and oxygen and a medications at the moment. 🙂 That verse is SO SO SO very appropriate though!!! I've come to accept that "this" is my new reality, and instead of being bitter and complaining about it, I need to change how I view it and accept it. Someday, Annabelle will have to accept the fact that she is different… she will always have some limitations and will always be tied to a strict med schedule and diet due to her heart. I'm not sure it's somethign either of us will be "free" of this side of heaven, but God's strength IS made perfect in weakness!
Oh, and I totally own a scale. I would like to point out that it is two very skinny people who don'e need to worry at ALL about weight that are throwing them away:-) Me… if I didn't have mine, I'd probably gain another 30 pounds. It keeps me from at least not going THAT overboard, HA! I'm not a slave to it, it is my helper:-)
Well done, sister. Good post.
Yes, I'm free, but I don't always live like it. I fight slavery to all kinds of things (some too personal and sad to mention here). My own thoughts can cage me in sometimes. You know the expression I'm my own worst enemy…well, I know that.
But I can say there have been many times God has used my weaknesses and my broken places to touch other individuals. I trust that will keep happening so I keep letting go of the broken stuff and all that enslaves.
~ Wendy
I'm bound by my job.
This post was so in line with my morning devotion this morning. I'm doing daily devotions from a book provided to me my the organization I'm traveling with to Haiti.
Beautiful post, Katie. I'm so loving your new schedule and the focus of it.
Katie, a great post!
It breaks my heart to see so many enslaved to sin when freedom is tapping their shoulder. I've been bound by food and excercise as well.
Women especially can be bound by "beauty." I'm so glad you wrote a book about it. Can't wait to read it and watch God use it to transform lives. 🙂
WOOHOO! Awesome post! I have been slave to many things but I love that verse you quoted because…well, I just do! *grin* As for scales, I REFUSE to own one. Thankfully food and weight haven't been a real issue for me (except I'm a chocoholic, does that count? lol) but I've seen family members way too stressed about weight and so I'm determined that I will NOT own a scale. Those things just make me made because I hate how women view themselves in this society. Grrr. I gotta get off my platform now.
Your book sounds wonderful and I can't wait to read it!
KC – I understand where you are coming from. I was a slave to food and exercise in high school and college. Absolutely obsessed with my weight. I remember thinking I'd never get over it. Today, I'm free. I have a very normal relationship with food and I haven't owned a scale in years. It's amazing how strong we become when we're on our knees.
Bonnie – so glad this post spoke to you! I'm going to add you to my prayer list – that you'd be able to forgive (and forgive again, and again…as much as it takes) and find freedom.
Very grateful for reading this post as i start my day! I am a slave to my emotions and food….and i am on the journey to emancipating myself! I have been praying for insight and strength….but i am also praying for the ability to deal with the stress of this process!
I needed this post. I'm almost crying over here.
I'm a slave to the circumstance surrounding my in-laws and how they feel about me. I want to forgive, I'm praying for the strength, and I am working on it. Sometimes, I give in to the bitterness and others I find I'm doing great.
Thanks for the post Katie and hug that character for me. Poor girl.