The Shadow of Your Wings

Our poodle pup, Pippa, loves to “go.” We have to spell or silently mouth the word around her - to speak it out brings on a joyful response that causes even her curls to bounce with excitement. Bring out the leash and she is completely undone with anticipation. It’s hilarious and adorable to behold.

One early morning during our recent trip to Arkansas I rose with the dawn. Peeking out the door of our RV I saw that the sun was just lighting the Ouachita sky. A storm was brewing across the valley and slowly moving up the hill - the sweet mountain air fresh and chilled with mist. Like Pip, I could hardly contain myself as I prepared a quick cup of tea, taking care not to wake my little family. I needed to be alone for a few precious minutes, and the beauty of the morning was just too incredible to share with any other than God. I reached for the dog’s leash, shushing her into something resembling submission, clicked it onto her collar and stepped out, trying desperately to control an oh so excited dog with one hand, and a steaming cup in the other. A few steps from the trailer Pip and I both breathed deeply as we walked toward a little field in the center of the park. My tiny dog pulling hard on the lead, the cup threatening to splash microwave hot tea on me I took a quick glance around, saw no human or dog (or bear) and dropped the leash. Poor puppy had been tethered to the thing for a week, I thought she would relish the opportunity to run free for a moment ~ “Run, puppy, run. You’re free!” I said to her with quiet glee. But she didn’t run. In fact, she stopped in her tracks, turned to me with a quizzical look as if to ask if I was aware that I’d just released her. I laughed, “It’s ok, Pippa, go, run, play!” She sat. Just sat down in the damp grass, and looked out to the open field. I stepped forward, she rose and took exactly as many steps as I, but did not leave my side or move beyond the length that the lead would have held her. Curious behavior. I was about to lean down to unsnap the leash, thinking it inhibited her, when I had one of those “ahhh ha!” moments.

The revelation I had that early mountain morn returned to mind a few days ago. I was praying for a dear lady who struggles with sin in her life. Sin long since confessed, forsaken, and forgiven by God - but not by self. As I came before the Lord, asking Him to release her from her past the Spirit reminded me of what He had revealed that morning, and I was thrilled with another “Ahhh. Ha!” as I praised God for His wondrous grace and goodness, for making things so simple and clear that even I can understand.

When the sin and shame that binds us is suddenly released by the mercy of God we, like my puppy, are unsure, uncertain in and of our freedom. We know the enemy no longer controls us, but we still feel the clutch of the collar and the burden of the chain dragging behind us. Perhaps we immediately recognize that our tether has gone slack and begin to run and frolic in the field of our liberty, only to be caught up by a bramble or broken branch and jerked back into thinking we are yet held fast. Or we may, like Pip, just plop down at the point we were released, not truly understanding what has been done for us, or how to respond to it.

Listen to the words of the Lord, “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me … to proclaim liberty to the captives, … to set free those who are oppressed.” (Lu 4:18) In, and because of Christ Jesus we are no longer held by the hand of the enemy. The One who now controls us does so with a tether of love and mercy. It is His voice and Spirit that lead us - without chains. “For whom the Son sets free is free indeed.”

I can almost hear His laughter as He proclaims to our souls, “Run, little one, you’re free!” and I sense His sorrow when we just sit there, as if we were still bound, not fully comprehending our freedom.