Last weekend while on retreat, I took a walk along the railroad tracks at the bottom of the hill near the river. While walking, I noticed dozens of railroad tie spikes just lying loose between the rails, and I wondered why they were there and where they all came from. Then I noticed that some of the spikes that were still “in place” were in varying stages of rising, so to speak, of being loosed, no doubt by years of pressure and vibration from passing trains. In short, they seemed to be freeing themselves. Free at last.
And I wondered: Can we, too, free ourselves from the holes and the tight places into which we have been driven? Can we be liberated from those people and circumstances that have perhaps left deep and painful marks on our lives and on our psyches? Can we repair the damage of past hurt?
We can, but we can’t do it alone. Like a railroad tie spike, we work our way free from our damaged pasts by responding to the vibrations and movements of an outside force. When we open ourselves to the movement of God in our lives and let go of aching parts of our past, we rise above the pressure and the rawness of these wounds and allow ourselves to rise, slowly and surely, to freedom and new life. We rise because God moves us toward freedom. We rise because we allow God to work on us, to inch us ever forward in faith and trust. Free at last.
Ask yourself in silence: From what in my past do I need to be freed? What piece of my history needs healing? What if I were to respond to the movement of God in my life? What would change?
Dear Steve,
If I didn’t know better, I’d think that your choice of ‘Word’ these past 3 days were specifically chosen with ME in mind! Some kind of Divine inspiration, perhaps! Because, you see, Steve, they touch the very core of my being, more so todays word ‘RISE”. I get goosebumps just reading your verse because every fibre in my body tingles at the familiarity of the predicament.
Having lost my Mom when I was only 3, life had been one roller coaster ride, with its ups and downs but sadly more downs. To rise and free myself of those manacles, had been a lifelong, arduous fight and a well nigh impossible task, or so it seemed, until recently. The wounds cut deep and the scars seem indelible and when the mind is constantly assailed by such ugly memories of pain and hurt, the body grows weak and one falters and starts asking again ‘Why, God, Why ? And one’s level of Faith takes a beating.
As I had mentioned in an earlier mail an ‘angel’ came into my life and slowly but steadily is leading me out of the labyrinth and the chasm into which I had fallen. I have been taught that it is not mine to ask ‘why’ but to completely put my trust in HIS hands and believe that HE knows my pains and my helplessness. It must be true because finally at this, the twilight stage of my life, there is an outside force who is guiding and pulling me out of the quagmire and I THANK YOU LORD!
Pray for me.
Warmest regards,
Lily
I do still feel various experiences in my life weighing me down. I am trying very hard to let go, but maybe I need to “release” my holding on and accept my past, forgive where I need to, especially myself, and open to a new life. Your words, as always, give me strength. Thank you.
I am so grateful for your ability to see God and His work in us through all that you observe as you walk in our natural world. Thank you for your insight and for sharing your thoughts and words with us. God bless you.
Beautiful and helpful…thanks.
Hi Steve: Ever since I began reading the Daily Word reflections some years back, I would read a passage then be so moved by it. Your name appeared below. Now I am onto your awesome writing skills–just have to read a paragraph & know it is Steve!! Ok, so now I just read through the 3 months and fold back YOUR reflections!! You are an amazing writer. I bought your book on Chemotherapy too. Now that you are doing the “Word” reflection via e-mail, I am just LOVING seeing my inbox with your e-mail. Keep the fabulous “Words” coming. You inspire me to be more than I can be!
Thanks for writing, Debbie, and I’m so glad that my passion is meeting your need!
Thanks, Deirdre. I throw it out there and God (and the internet!) gets it where it needs to go!
Thanks, Barb. See you around campus…miss seeing you.
Barbara, pray for the grace and the courage to do all that. It’s not easy and you can’t do it alone. Rather, God working through you…peace!
Praying for you, Lily. Praying for you to gain the strength you need to let go let God take control. Thanks for sharing your story; it no doubt will help someone else.