"You're Free, Little One..."

This little bird flew in the house when the guys were bringing in firewood a few days ago, and when I caught it and brought it back outside the next morning, it didn't want to fly away. It kept clinging to my fingers and looking around. I told the bird that it was free, so it should just let go and fly away. It finally seemed to realize it wasn't being held back anymore and flew away, and as it did, I realized that I'm like that bird.

Sometimes I cling to things I shouldn't, like memories or sins, whether from the past or present, and I don't want to let go. God tells me, "It's okay, you're free. Your chains are gone. The hand that oppressed you is lifted away." and I still cling to the bad. I may know it's dangerous, but the world is unknown, so even though it's bad for me to stay there, I don't leave it, because, for the moment at least, it's familiar. And I believe, like that bird, that I'm still stuck, that I can't get away from it.

And when I finally realize I'm really, truly free, not being held in place, not being chained anymore, that's when I spread my wings and fly away from it, letting it go. And the more I think about that little bird, the more I realize I've been that little bird so many times. But by the grace of God, I'm free to fly away, just like my little friend did.

Don't hold onto things when God says you're free to let go of them, that they don't have the power to hold you captive anymore. He freed you for a reason. Spread your wings and find it. He's waiting for you.