On my recent travel to California, we were in the mid-state area, from San Francisco to Yosemite, and I got to take in a lot of that part of the world. On our last day there we went to the infamous Alcatraz Island and toured the prison. It was a wild time and certainly a place with a lot of darkness. But it has inspired this next series because in the midst of that heavy hard history there continues to be vibrant life surrounding it.
Hundreds of birds make their nests there as was a garden maintained by prisoners and still is to this day. It tells a very contrasting story to the truths contained in the small cells within those old walls. The bitter taste of the painful past is momentarily sweetened by beautiful flowers and majestic flights of the nesting birds there. It is from this truth I want to bring you this short series from prison.
I came across a story about a little different type of prison but its message certainly spoke to me. It took place in India, but humans weren’t locked up there, elephants were. And it just so happens that you and I may find a part of ourselves in its reality. Here it is:
A man walked through an elephant camp and noticed immediately something strange. The elephants were free to roam, go where they would like, only they stayed in the camp. There were no fences, cages, wires, or barriers, except for one little rope tied to one leg of each elephant. It was obvious that these massive animals were easily capable of breaking free from being tied down as the rope was nowhere near strong enough to hold them back, and yet, not one even tried.
The man was bewildered at this site and wondered at this phenomenon, so he inquired of one of the care givers. The worker explained how this reality was sustained. He said that when the elephants are babies the same size rope is put on and is strong enough to actually keep the animal contained. As it grows and develops it becomes conditioned to believe that the rope can restrain them and so over time it no longer tries to escape even though it becomes strong enough to snap the small rope.
I thought, what a stupid story and of course they would be so tangled they couldn’t do anything. But nonetheless, I quickly saw how perfectly descriptive it is of the life in which we tend to lead and the life the enemy wants to enslave us in.
Consider this: What do you believe that keeps you tied down, that is holding you back from experiencing the best life, a full life, wholeness of life? What parts of your past now inhibit your present or even your future? How have you been conditioned to believe that you are not capable of something great, to see your dream become reality? What has history taught you that is wrecking your present and manipulating your future?
I wonder what feats, victories, achievements or even growth you attempted in the past but failed (possibly multiple times) so, because of that have since believed that little rope is STILL strong enough to restrain you. I wonder how your marriage, your job, your relationship with parents, your joy, your world is suppressed by your past. You were bound long enough that even though you can easily overcome it, you continue to live as though it is impossible to be free.
Think differently. Break free. Dream big. Achieve greatness. Find wholeness of life.
Know that the thing that used to keep you down is a lie from the depth of hell and cannot contain you if you choose to resist! Stand. Fight. Be free.
Jesus says, “For whom the Son (that’s himself) sets free, is free indeed!” John 8:36 And Paul writes these words of commendation, “It is for freedom that Christ has set you free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be a slave again (speaking of the other gods and false narratives of living). Galatians 5:1)
Do not let the tiny ropes of past constraints, social mentalities, worldly training, hold you back and keep you from living life to the full.
#PrisonRules
#TinyRopes
#Alcatraz
#RestoringWholenessOfLife
Brett
0 Comments