Need to Shake Heavy Chains?

8th grade P.E. class brought fresh revelation.  We were instructed to run around the track one time.  Returning to the starting line, one by one Mrs. McDonald put on 10lb. chain belt around our waists. ”Now run again!” she hollered.

The extra weight was surprisingly difficult to carry.  We’d barely made it a quarter of the way around the track when people began to walk, stop, sit down even!  The point was made.  Extra weight slowed the journey and made it impossible to run freely.

Chains.

Heavy chains.

Do you have any today?  Any extra weight that is preventing you from soaring?  I do.  Some days mine comes in the form of fear.  Other times a strained relationship.  And on another, a parenting dilemma.   Just ask and I’ll give you the flavor of the day!

We often grab onto our chains and clutch them tightly against us.  This gives us a false sense of control.  Forgetting that the weight is heavy, or even present, we wear it day after day.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?

Come to me.

Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.

Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.

Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.

I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.

Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” 

Matthew 11:28 (msg)

These are things I desire:

recovery, rest, grace, freedom, and lightness of heart.

And they can all be found by spending time with my Creator.  When I am tired, worn out, burned out, HE is the answer.  It really is that simple.  Why do I make it so complicated?  When I sit to open my Bible and heart to God, He shakes the chains from my white knuckle grip and bears the weight once so heavy.  Weight preventing me from running my race.

And I walk freely.  Lightly.  All by keeping company with the one I call “Redeemer.”

There is a line in a song that keeps playing over and over in my head, “so I’ll shake off these heavy chains.” This visual is powerful to me.  Close your eyes and listen.  Whatever weighs you down today, open your heart and allow God to breathe new life into your weary soul.