Are you more like a chicken or a duck? You may be thinking you're nothing like those "fowl" creatures! (See what I did there?) My friend's ducks seem to prefer their pen to the freedom she offered them, yet my chickens gladly run into the freedom they are given each day. Jesus came to set
Pit Sweet Pit…
A few years ago, I read Beth Moore’s Get Out of That Pit. Great read! In the book, Beth talks about many forms of pits we often find ourselves residing in and explores the various ways in which we arrive in those pits. Sometimes we are thrown into the pit. Sometimes we sink into it gradually; while at other times, we just do a nose dive. No matter how we arrive, though, there is always, ALWAYS a way out!
Psalm 40:1-2 provides the foundation for Mrs. Moore’s book. “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock.” (ESV).
We tend to prefer these pits, often in spite of the freedom that was bought for us by the blood of Jesus. But God’s design for us was to walk in freedom with Him, not to dwell in a stinky pit. It’s time we stop feeling comfy and cozy in those pits and cry out to God to pull us out.
Ducks In a Row
My bff, Jodi, has ducks. I had the honor of meeting her little feathered friends during my last visit, and they are so adorable! She and her man, Darrell, live on a beautiful place in Southeast Texas with a pond, so their ducks are quite happy.
They have free-range ducks that basically live off the land (in a very domesticated way). The freeloader ducks that belong to one of their neighbors seem to love hanging out at their place. The “babies” live in the duck house. (You should see the duck house these little quackers live in! It’s like the Taj-Mahal of duck houses, complete with a galvanized tub that serves as an in-house pond.).
Since these babies are now big enough in size to be relatively safe from predators, the time has come to allow them to free-range during the day. Anyway, Darrell rigged up this gate system that directs the ducks out toward the pond and prevents the neighbor’s horses from bedding down in the duck house. Every morning, Jodi goes out to the duck house and opens the gates to let them have their freedom. Every morning, they look at her as if she has lost her everloving mind. And they remain right. where. they. are.
It sound ridiculous, doesn’t it? But, isn’t that kind of what we do?
Comfortable in Bondage
I asked a pastor friend of mine one time, “Why is it that we are so comfortable in our bondage (sin)?”
He answered, both simply and profoundly, “It’s because we are familiar with it.”
I suppose that is why those young ducks didn’t want to leave the comfort of their captivity. Even after they got a taste of freedom, they ran right back into their pen/pit, seeking the familiarity of its walls. They knew and recognized every nook and cranny of their cell. Because they choose to remain within those walls, they are missing out on foraging for the best bugs, swimming on the big pond, and feeling the wind beneath their wings. (Great! Now I hear Bette Midler singing, “Did you ever know that you’re my hero?”)
Aren’t we a lot like those ducks? Galatians 5:1 says, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
Be More Like the Chickens
Our chickens are usually standing around the door of their run, scolding our tardiness, when we go to the chicken chapel to let them out. Then, the second that door is open and we’re out of the way, they dash out like their tail feathers are on fire!myself trying to tie my broken chains back around my own ankles and wrists. Just like those ducks.
Beloved, we should take our cues from my chickens because those little biddies are chomping at the bit for their freedom every single day. They have tasted freedom, and it is good! It is hilarious to watch them blast out of that chicken run into the freedom that awaits them!
We are no longer slaves. That freedom we are encouraged to live in was NOT free, but rather Jesus paid for it with His life. Instead of hiding in the corners of our pits like the ducks, we should be running about, squawking with delight, as we rejoice in our liberty!
Hope Floats
In closing, I want to leave you with hope. Those young ducks will most likely make their way out of that pen and enjoy the freedom that awaits them. In fact, I believe they will be free ranging with the others in just a matter of time. Of course, like my chickens, they will return to the pen at night, where they will be protected from predators. But that’s a whole ‘nother metaphor.
The point is, most likely those ducks will eventually have faith enough to step outside their comfort zone into the freedom for which they were intended. Will you?
Is there something that is preventing you from kicking aside those shackles and stepping out of your pit? I, for one, am sick and tired of living in my self-inflicted pit. Let’s get out of our respective pits together, what do you say?
Freedom
In the very beginning of Jesus’s ministry, he went to the synagogue and unrolled the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He stood to read, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19, ESV)
After he had finished the reading, Jesus rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. Scripture says that everyone in the room was looking at him.
I love this next part found in verse 21 when Jesus said, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” I like to think of that as the “mic drop” statement. This was basically when Jesus revealed himself as the Son of God, the Messiah.
He came to set us free, beloved! In John 8:32, Jesus says, “and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” Later, in John 14:6, He says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” And finally, John 8:36, “So if the Son set you free, you will be free indeed.”
Are you ready to walk in that freedom?
Then, let’s do it! Throw back your arms, hold your head up high, and run like your tail feathers are on fire!!!
Blessings!