Caged and then Adopted

I adopted a cat a few years ago from an animal shelter. The shelter had pens where they were keeping animals caged. I know that the animals had to be hating their captivity. I saw the cat that I wanted, picked up the adoption papers at the desk and home we went. The cat I adopted wasn’t really sure it wanted to be carried by me and seemed to worry about the car ride even more. It probably felt that it was once again a captive. It occurred to me that I was leading captivity captive. At least until we got home. I lived in a rural area with woodsy places, a nearby water channel, and the comfort of a 1969 10′ x 55′ house trailer. By the end of the day, after some tuna to eat and milk to drink the cat was purring and snuggling up to me. I’m sure it felt very thankful for the gift of its new home. Jesus led captivity captive to set me free, “But each one of us was given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Therefore, God says, ‘When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” Ephesians 4:7-8

I often feel my own captivity. I would love to have an ideal social life, an enjoyable job, excellent health and all that. Instead, the daily routine often feels like a cage. In that cage, it’s easy to feel restless and to feel bitterness towards those we think are responsible for our captivity. Restlessness and bitterness are a toxic mix that creates all types of havoc. Captivity to that toxicity is what I want to avoid. I want that captivity to be held captive by the Spirit of Christ. I do feel set free from my captivity because the nasty attitudes are being held captive. I do feel happiness, I feel kindness towards others, I feel fortunate to have some mental and emotional peace, and I’m enduring from day to day. It really is true that, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36