Nuggets 1: Open Our Eyes, Lord

  • B. Shelburne
  • Jul 16, 2006
  • Series: Nuggets

Nuggets 1:  "Open Our Eyes, Lord"

I discovered that I was not alone in the house.  A small bird had flown through the propped-open front door while I was unloading my luggage.  How could I get it outside?  Maybe I could throw a towel over it and capture it.  But every time I approached the bird, it darted to another perch.  The more I tried to help it, the more terrified it became.  It evaded my every effort to set it free.  Finally it flew to some nook I couldn't find, and I gave up and went to bed.

Next morning I found the bird cowering in a corner behind the refrigerator.  It flew up and we resumed our game of hide and seek.  If only the bird could understand that I was trying to help it!  Eventually I propped open the front door and shooed the bird into the front room.  It landed in a sunny spot on the carpet near the door.  Suddenly it discovered the open door and flew away to freedom.

Often we are trapped by bad choices, bitter memories, stubborn weaknesses.  God so much wants to give us back our life and set us free.  But we are as afraid of God as the bird was of me.  We avoid opening ourselves to God's word and his Spirit, and to the ministry of others (as in small groups).  Will we spend our remaining years half living, or will we open our eyes and let God come close enough to set us free?

Jeremiah 29:11;  Matthew 23:37;  Deuteronomy 5:29;  Matthew 11:28-30;  Isaiah 1:18;  Hebrews 10:25
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Copyright 2006 by G.B. Shelburne, III.  May be freely reproduced or forwarded for non-commercial purposes provided content is unchanged and this copyright notice is included.  These shepherding messages are sent to members and friends of New Beginnings Church (http://www.nbchurch.com/), to students and alumni of South Houston Bible Institute (http://www.shbi.org/), and to other interested persons.

 

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