‘Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.‘
Philippians 3:13-14 NIV®.
Kerala is a state in the southern part of India. It is known for the lovely green expanse of fields, tall coconut trees, houseboats and scenic backwaters.
An animal it's well known for is - elephants. The elephant features in the state emblem as well.
Elephants are widely used in temple ceremonies and in carrying heavy loads. Mostly construction.
They are considered a highly intelligent animal. Equally well known for their fury.
If you happen to rub them the wrong way, there is no mercy!
But humans have found interesting ways to tame and domesticate them.
Let me share about one such way.
As a calf, (young one of an elephant) they are mostly chained at their feet with one end of the chain tied to a strong pole or tree. The chain is long enough for them to walk around a bit. But when they try to go farther than what the chain can let them, they are stopped.
Stopped by a chain.
As these elephants grow up in size, they learn based on past experience that the chains won’t let them go beyond a certain point. They don’t try anymore and concede that there is a boundary beyond which they cannot go.
Surprisingly, even after they have grown up into colossal giants with no chains on their feet, they still believe that they are chained.
Did you know, we are chained too.
Chained to our past, chained to things that don’t let us breathe freely in freedom.
Chains are painful. We don’t see physical chains around us.
But take a closer look at animals those are chained. There’s a scar left behind. There’s a wound that tells a story of struggle.
Chains in our life are bondages that suck the joy out. They leave us enslaved to rotten lies and customs of the world. They keep us from experiencing the fullness of life.
Let us not be like the conditioned elephant who fail to realize its true strength. It fails to see who it really is. It fails to understand who made him and what was he made for. Even though it has grown into a giant, it believes that the chains are more powerful than their own strength.
Is there something that is chaining you? Take it to Jesus in prayer.
Jesus wipes every tear, every shame, every guilt. (Psalm 103:2-5)
He breaks us free from every chain. He is the chain breaker. He can free you from anything that binds you from being who you truly are.
You are a child of God. (1 John 3:2a)
Press on heavenward.
I shall close with this song. Enjoy it & have a blessed time with Jesus.
Chain Breaker – by Zach Williams
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™