Stretch your wings

Psalm 124

If it had not been the Lord who was on our side
- let Israel now say -
if it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
when our enemies attacked us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone
the raging waters.

Blessed be the Lord,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth.
We have escaped like a bird
from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
and we have escaped.

Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

Sometimes I don't feel completely free...I walk around with my face flattened by worry or fear of some sort. During those times, I know that I am incarcerated by self-deception -- the lie that in some way or another I myself can do enough, or be enough, or become enough to be free from whatever it is that challenges the joy of my soul.

Whenever I struggle to liberate myself from that mire, I remember the words of our confession: We confess that we are captive to sin, and cannot free ourselves. My struggles are ineffective ... the more I try to resist whatever is threatening my peace, the more embroiled in it I become.

Wisdom teaches us ... turn your attention from the snares and lean into the presence of the Lord... the bonds are broken and you can step forth into the day with all the freedom of a newly liberated bird.

Stretch your wings....

Soar!

Amen.