160 middle school kids and leaders have checked in, dumped their bags on bunks, and gathered in the tabernacle for the start of Winter Retreat. The energy and excitement in this room is off the charts. After games are played and songs are sung, the crowd actually calms into silence.
Elephants are held captive by a small rope tied from a post to their back leg. To an elephant this is like a tiny piece of twine; a small string that could be easily snapped. They are strong enough to break free, but they don't. Why? They don't realize their own strength. They have been trained to believe a lie.
How are we like these elephants?
What lies keep us from doing the amazing things God intended for us? What strings are holding us back? As we pass out twine to everyone, and as we tie the twine around ankles or wrists, I sense a sincere desire to identify the strings that exist in our lives. I also sense a genuine eagerness to discover and do the hard things needed to break free.
Lord, may it happen! May this be a weekend of discovery. May we do hard things and find freedom!
Posted on
Fri, February 5, 2010
by Chris Spitters