Areas that have the power to keep us captive sometimes seem so wonderful when we are window shopping.

The sugar coating of bondage tastes so sweet.

Dark corners that we hide in feel so safe.

Lies that we listen to sound so convincing.

Habits that we indulge in bring so much pleasure.

Egypt in the rearview mirror of the Israelites looked completely different from how it looked when they were enslaved there.

We often, like the Israelites, long for the familiarity of our own personal Egypt. What lies beyond the pretty face of bondage is not only ugly but deadly. It limits us from our full potential and from receiving the blessings waiting for us. Bondage often holds us with soft fluffy handcuffs and a warm and cozy straight jacket, but handcuffs and straight jackets were never meant to bring freedom but to keep us small and restrained.

We convince ourselves that if it looks good, tastes good, and makes us feel good then it is good: beware of the lie – read between the lines. If you look closely you might see things like

Captivity

Control

Addiction

Financial ruin

Moral decay

Fear

Hopelessness

Lies

Isolation

Broken families

Anxiety

Depression

Do you really want to deal with one or all of those because you didn’t want to say “no” to things that you thought you could taste but not consume?

Be careful – read the small print and look for the colorful flashing signs. Green and red. Pick your color carefully.

God gives you the ability to choose freedom and then to LEAVE your jail cell. Make sure that if you choose to do so, you slam that door shut behind you as you run for your life out of your area of captivity. You cannot leave any option open to return to your cell.

Each time you go back it’s harder to leave and the space inside feels more and more familiar.

Don’t make the mistake of believing the same stuff that has proved time and time again to be a lie – it’s like returning to an abusive relationship over and over again.

Be done with your “groundhog day” for once and for all and listen carefully – you might just hear the roar of Heaven’s applause as you finally choose LIFE!