Ezra 1:3 tells us that King Cyrus proclaimed freedom for the captives of Judah. Ezra 2:64 tells us only 42,360 people took him up on the offer and left their captivity to return to their homeland of freedom.
Why is this significant? I was pondering my morning reading on the way to my kids' school this morning. Then it dawned on me: how easy and comfortable it is to stay in our captivities than it is to expend the effort to get out. Yet Jesus, our KING, has proclaimed FREEDOM for us. (Isaiah 61)
What are our captivities? The captivity of depression, oppression, bad habits, lifestyles that contradict our public persona, bitterness, religiosity... The list could go on and on.
I pondered what it took in order for those 42K+ to be free and the same is required for our freedom. God has a good plan for our lives. He has a life purpose for each of us. But we must be freed from our captivities. What does it take?
- Willingness to leave our comfortable surroundings - the familiar habits
- Mediocre pew-warming
- Often leaving our families - psychologically, emotionally, and culturally.
- Lives possibly seeming unworthy in the eyes of pop culture.
- Leaving paralyzing fear in order to follow God to freedom!
Those exiles who sacrificed eventually arrived in their homeland - the place God wanted them to be. Their lives have been recorded for all eternity. Their lives counted before God.
I want my life to count for God too. Do you? God has a promised land for all of us this side of heaven. I'm still traveling to mine. The road is often uncomfortable and lonely. Sometimes I find myself complaining (Lord, forgive me). Yet I want all that God wants to give me - I want my life to count for all eternity. I hope you'll join me on this journey-
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