Comfortable being a Slave

If the question was asked who would like to be a slave, I don’t think anyone would volunteer. Yet, knowingly and unknowingly we become slaves, to things, people, ideas, situations, etc. Additionally, sometimes we even become comfortable being a slave to these things. What?? Yes, sometimes we become comfortable with being a slave. Do not be alarmed you are not the only one, as all these things are common to all men/women.

The Bible tells the story of the children of Israel who for years lived as “princes” in the land of Egypt because of Joseph. However, Joseph died, and there rose up a Pharoh who did not know Joseph and thought that the children were only fit to be slaves in the land of Egypt. Initially, the children of Israel were comfortable being slaves. Even though the conditions that they were living in was not favorable, they were not in a hurry to get out of Egypt or to stop being a slave. Yes, they were crying out for deliverance, but they were still comfortable with being a slave. In fact, when liberation presented itself to them in the 390th year they were so content that they rejected it because it did not look like what they thought it should look.  This resulted in them spending another 30 years in Egypt and did not receive emancipation until the 430th year. Even after the children of Israel left Egypt they were so accustomed to being slaves that they kept disobeying and complaining all throughout their journey through the wilderness.  Physically they were free, but they were slaves in their minds and preferred to be slaves as they often expressed that they would much rather be in Egypt than traveling through the wilderness. They were content with being slaves.

We too like the children of Israel sometimes find ourselves in circumstances that have enslaved us. These conditions are often far less than favorable, but because of fear, we become captives. Some of us are trapped in dead-end jobs, and instead of stepping out we try to convince ourselves that there is nothing we can do to change our situations. We pretty much refuse to step out. Why because we are comfortable being slaves to our circumstances. As such, we find all kinds of reasons to justify why where we are is exactly where we will be forever. Some of us are in abusive relationships, addicted to drugs, alcohol, and pornography. Yet we will not make a step towards freedom as the cost to be free seems more than that of being a slave to our situations. Yes, we are crying out, but the action required for deliverance seems too much to take.

I can’t help but wonder, however, if we could come to a point where we are sick and tired of being slaves. A point where our desire to be free is more important than the cost of our comfort. Coming to a place where we realize where, who and what we are a slave to and saying enough is enough, it’s time to be free.

Prayer: God of the Heaven armies we ask that Your light will be shed in the deep recesses of our hearts. Show us where, who and what we have been slaves to and reveal to us the steps needed to take so that we can be free. Empower us with the ability to break free from that which enslaves us. Help us to walk out of our comfort zone so that we can step into the liberty that You have died for us to live in. Break away complacency and procrastination from us. Please place a spirit of urgency within so that we will do what it takes to live in the place that You have designed for us. Amen.

5/13/17 Dr.R.A.