Untangled
by Pam Smith
I have heard it said that if the word ‘therefore’ appears in Scripture, we should ask what it is there for. In Galatians Chapter 5 and verse 1 Paul is writing about how Christ has made us free by His grace (‘It is for freedom that Christ has set us free’). Therefore - this is the reason - that we are to stand fast in our liberty and not be entangled with any ‘yoke of bondage’.
There are times when we find ourselves in a tangle. Often, when I’m out in the countryside, my clothes catch on a bramble or briar, resulting in scratches and cuts. Recently I caught my ankle in a bramble and I tripped and fell flat on my face. I also find my clothes catch on handles and hooks and often need help in getting untangled.
We can so easily get tangled up when we are involved in worldly affairs, especially when life becomes busy and there is pressure and expectations are put upon us. It is then time to become aware of who we are living for, not forgetting we are ‘soldiers’ of Jesus Christ. ‘No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier’ (2 Timothy 2:4). (But we sometimes do).
The Lord allows us to go so far, before drawing us back into the shelter of our relationship with Him. ‘Because he loves me I will rescue him. When he calls upon me I will answer; I will be with him in trouble, and rescue him and honour him’ (Psalm 91:14-l5).
Take a moment (I include myself here) when a new project or idea comes, or a particular job is offered to you, to be very willing to help, but to make sure that it is something in which God wants you to be involved. There are many people tied up, doing all sorts of things to which they have felt unable to say ‘no’.
We need discernment in what we take on, to know a peace in our labours, or our energy may become drained, resulting in frustration. If our lives are really the Lord’s vineyard He promises: ‘I, the Lord, will tend the fruitful vines; every day I’ll water them, and day and night I’ll watch to keep all enemies away. If I find thorns and briars bothering her, I will burn them up’. (Isaiah 27: 3, & 5). So, (therefore), may we stand fast in our freedom.
Prayer: "Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
‘Till all our strivings cease.
Take from our souls the strain and stress
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace." John Whittier
Pam Smith has a background in art and nursing, has a son and two daughters and six grandchildren. She has been a friend and helper of Ellel Ministries since l992, and has been involved with Healing Through Creativity Courses. As writer of the Shepherd Love Series, she has a passion for the comfort and encouragement that leads people towards enjoying abundant Life in Jesus.
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