Here are some further thoughts on chains, from a blog I regularly read by Nell Goddard (’Musings of a Clergy Child’, ‘Chains’)
“The chains of insecurity, of worthlessness and of anxiety weigh us down, even as they are undone.
But while we concentrate on the dead weight around our wrists and ankles, what we forget to remember is that the truth can, and the truth will, set us free. If only we were to raise our eyes from the ground, we would see a man, hanging on a cross, asking for our chains. Telling us he loves us. Telling us we’re worth it. Telling us not to worry because he’s got it under control, so we don’t have to. Telling us The Truth. And if we do raise our eyes from the ground, if we do stop to listen, just for a moment, if we do take a deep breath and, in faith, shake off those chains that have bound us for so very long, if we do listen to The Truth and choose to believe it, then it really will set us free.” (Nell Goddard, used with permission).
This song by Tim Hughes (‘Holding Nothing Back’) captures the thoughts we have been exploring in the family service on ‘Chains’:
“I am chosen,
I am free
I am living for eternity
Free now forever
You picked me up, turned me around
You set my feet on solid ground
Yours now forever.
Nothing’s going to hold me back
My chains fell off, my heart was free
I’m alive to live for You
I’m alive to live for You
Amazing love, how can it be?
You gave everything for me,
You gave everything for me.” (Tim Hughes, ‘Holding Nothing Back’)
Tim Hughes, ‘Holding Nothing Back’
Other songs which talks about chains and the freedom we have in Christ:
“The wonder of Your love
Will break the chains that bind us;
The power of Your touch
Releases us to worship.” (Hillsong, ‘The Wonder of Your Love’)
Hillsong, ‘The Wonder of Your Love’
“Like a rolling stone, like a runaway train
No turning back, no more yesterdays
My heart is free, no chains on me
God, You raise me up, up from the grave
The cross before, I’m on my way
My heart is free, no chains on me.” (Chris Tomlin, ‘No Chains On Me’)
Chris Tomlin, ‘No Chains On Me’
“My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my Saviour has ransomed me
And like a flood, His mercy rains
Unending love, amazing grace.” (Chris Tomlin, ‘Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)’)
Chris Tomlin, ‘Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)’
We also had a birthday to celebrate in advance: