“My chains are gone, I've been set free

My God, my Savior has ransomed me

And like a flood His mercy reigns

Unending love, amazing grace”

After the events of last week, how can you not correlate the words “My chains are gone, I’ve been set free” with the miraculous escape from bondage of Gina, Amanda and Michelle. Living in bondage for so many years, and even when there’s an opportunity to escape, two of the three are paralyzed by something, holding them back from freedom from their captor.

It made me think about our everyday life and what Pastor Nate shared in last week’s sermon about the Gospel, “Good News”. We, just like Gina, Amanda and Michelle, have an opportunity to escape from our bondage but continue to be slaves to our sin. Why? What paralyzes us from freedom?

Do you live in bondage to something, anything? Maybe it’s work, people-pleasing, substance abuse, anxiety; the list could go on and on. So, what’s your story?

Did you ever wish you could live a different story? How do you live a different story? How do we escape from bondage?

Over the course of the past few years I have been searching for that different story. The problem was that I was looking for another “life circumstance” story, not the story that God has planned for me. The searching of that story left me more in bondage than ever, wondering why God didn’t provide when I was such a faithful servant. As I’ve learned to change my perspective, I’ve realized who I am. I’ve realized that God is all-knowing, all-powerful and all good, and if this is the life story he has chosen for me, it must be the best story there is. I’ve learned that life on this earth isn’t utopia and never will be, but I’ve also learned that someday “there will be no more tears”.

How did I learn to live this different story? I am so blessed that as I called upon God, the Holy Spirit guided me. He guided me to Living Faith Alliance Church, and to an amazing Pastorate family. He guided me to a great group of theological study friends and to an amazing counselor, and he continues to guide in my everyday thoughts and actions.

What do you need to do to live the different story?