Slavery Unveiled in Hearts

There is something that is born 

in the heart of man 

that makes its appearance 

whether small or grand.

It can be subtle 

and hides behind excuses 

and points a finger to blame.

It can be as openly blatant

as stuffing a ships cargo hold 

with human beings 

and taking away their freedom.

The sinful heart always wants 

to take and take and take. 

It likes to make others dependant

and in its full unveiled face,

it likes to make them slaves.

We see it often in life.

That church that cannot support

one of its members because

the member feels God pulling their heart

to another country than the one

that church supports.

We see it in families 

where they talk behind your back

and to your children 

when you decide to move away

and relocate to another state.

We see it in people who don't like

what you do or how you do it

so they won't help you out

and in fact,

they make it more difficult 

for you to move forward.

All the while defending their actions

with smug accusations and threats.

It's slavery.

In its unveiled and uncovered form,

you can see it everywhere.

It's ugly.  It's demonic.

And we see it so often in every place.

And then we have Jesus.

He came to set the captives free.

He came to free all men

in every place

from the slavery of sin and death.

The slavery of sin paid wages,

but the wages always lead to death.

But He came with a gift.

The gift of life!

The gift of freedom!

And when we surrender ourselves 

to Jesus precious words

and allow Him to come 

and soften us and work in us,

that ugly ugly face of slavery

has to bow the knee

and it must go under the 

Light of Jesus precious life.

He came to give us life

and life more abundantly.

Watch out for and be on guard against

the ugly face of slavery

when it appears in your heart.

Let the light of Jesus melt it away.

Let Jesus have control.

Repentance is such a good thing!

(I was thinking how good God's Word

is and being in fellowship with Him.

It really softens us on the inside

and helps us see where we are 

enslaving others through our own

nature.  It helps us see when we are

not encouraging others or outflowing

words of Gods life and encouraging

them to go as God leads.  He leads 

each of us in ways we may never 

understand and it isn't a cookie cutter

kind of thing.  God is creative, infinite,

all knowing and powerful and He does

with each of us what pleases Him.

Especially those yielding to His heart.

So we don't have to be greedy graspers

of those around us and stifle them so we can keep them.  We can release those around us with all the love and freedom He desires for them.  Some people are so awesome you want to do all you can to keep them but in the end, you find you're just being selfish.  And then your actions are more about your own self and that always turns out ugly.  But you know what I've learned?  When we give and love and are open handed, we never really lose - we actually receive more - but it's more of God's ways and His timing and His life flow.  If we just don't give in to fear!  We will always have enough with God.  Always!!)