Here you can see the remains of what used to be a salmon cannery, originally built back in 1882 and at its heyday in the early 1900’s.
As hubby and I wandered around the old cannery property, we came across these huge rusty chains. I was fascinated by them. They were absolutely huge! And massively heavy!
Considering that we were wandering around a historic property, I couldn’t help thinking about how in our own lives, sometimes we are “chained” by the past. Perhaps it’s good memories of the past we won’t let go of, so we keep living in the past … “chained” to what used to be. Perhaps it’s bad memories of the past that won’t let go of us … and we live “chained” to what happened back then.
“Chained” by the past.
Sometimes we are “chained” by our own expectations (which were never met). We thought it would turn out a certain way. We automatically assumed life would go a certain way. And it didn’t. Things didn’t turn out at all like we thought they would. Life didn’t go the way we had automatically assumed. And we live “chained” by our expectations.
Sometimes we are “chained” by sickness. It’s so heavy! Each new doctor we have to swap to … it’s another “link” added to the “chain.” Each new insurance denial … it’s another “link” added to the “chain.” Each new medication we are forced to swap to … it’s another “link” added to the “chain.” It’s a never-ending struggle, and we feel so wrapped in heavy “chains.”
Sometimes we are “chained” by our fears. Each fear is an added “link” in the ever-growing “chain” which wraps around our life and weighs us down so we can hardly function.
Sometimes we are “chained” by our disappointments.
Sometimes we are “chained” by bitterness.
Sometimes we are “chained” by our failures.
Sometimes we are “chained” by our regrets.
Sometimes we are “chained” by our own foolish decisions which have wrapped us up in heavy rusty “chains” we can’t break free from.
Sometimes we are “chained” by a habit.
Sometimes we are “chained” by an addiction. Each time we turn to the addiction, it adds yet another “link” to the “chain.”
Whatever old rusty heavy “chains” are wrapped around you, Jesus can break them off! Jesus can set you free from those “chains” that are weighing you down and keeping you trapped.
“If the Son [Jesus Christ] sets you free, you will be free indeed.” – John 8:36
Jesus speaking: “ The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed.” – Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” – Isaiah 61:1
Whatever “chains” are lying there in your life, like these heavy rusty old chains … Jesus can help you with them! Jesus can lift those heavy chains!
Jesus speaking: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke [“chains”] upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke [“chains”] is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30
As my pastor says: We are “chained” by grace. God’s got us! Grace will sustain us! Grace will keep us! Grace will carry us through! Grace won’t let us go! We are “chained” by grace.
