Prisoner of Hope

Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope;
    even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.

- Zechariah 9:12 

Let's talk about slavery, shall we? No, I'm not going to plea for activism again. Let's talk about the average American Christian Joe or Jill. That's me and you. Oversimplification? Um, yes. Bear with me. 

We are all slaves/prisoners of something. I'm sure you've heard this before. As Christians, we were slaves of sin but now are slaves of Christ (Romans 6:22.) This is final. Nothing and no one can change this fact.

However, there is a more specific imprisonment that involves a daily exercise of the will.

Will I chain myself to fear or to hope?

Yes, it is I who imprison myself to either option. Since I am set free by Christ's death and resurrection, I am empowered.

 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power,love and self-discipline.

-2 Timothy 1:7 

Forces are strong against me.

²¹ So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³ but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sinat work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature^[d] a slave to the law of sin.

- Romans 7:21-25

A daily battle. 

I have been learning to pray not only for wisdom but also the courage to carry out that wisdom. 

That includes battling my fears. That includes battling the fear of my fears. That includes humility and vulnerability.

Today, I choose to chain myself to hope instead of fear. Circumstances will sway me. But instead of chaining myself to fear, being absolutely positive of its return and condemning myself for it, I choose to be a prisoner of hope. That means centering in on meaning, beauty, and perfection found only in Christ.

I want to be so held captive by hope that it overwhelms me. 

All else may fail. Even best friends and family are guaranteed to let me down at some point. I will let you down, I'm sure of it, even though I never want to. 

It's a daily mindset struggle. 

But I have a key around my neck and the Spirit of God within me to remind me that I always, always, always have the key to hope. 

Help me choose to be a prisoner of hope, my God. Day by day by uncertain, glorious day.

Taylor University, get ready to welcome a prisoner into your midst! :D

Sidenote: I AM SOOOOOO EXCITED ABOUT JUNIOR YEAR!!!!

Okay. End. :)