On a recent work trip to California, we visited the world-famous San Diego Zoo. With over 4,000 animals gracing its hundred-acre grounds, it’s the most visited zoo in the country. Its huge, open exhibits mimic the animals’ natural habitat— and comprise the largest and most remarkable living spaces we have seen at any zoo. Yet when we visited the very-difficult-to-find tiger exhibit, we were puzzled to see the big cat constantly pacing back and forth in a tight pattern barely over two body lengths. It had a gigantic, beautifully landscaped space with trees, rocks, logs and caves. But here it was, constraining itself to a worried trek in a space no greater than 20 square feet! The giant feline seemed oblivious to its available range, stuck in an endless loop.
Haven’t most of us been there? I don’t mean the San Diego zoo’s tiger exhibit, but stuck in some kind of unpleasant and unproductive loop. Perhaps we find ourselves in a regret loop about the past characterized by “if only” or “I just wish” statements. Or maybe we’re wrapped in a kink of anger or frustration, obsessing about something we can’t change. Or we’re lured into an anxiety spiral, entertaining negative imaginations about the future. Do any of those sound like living “life more abundantly”? Or do they leave you feeling lower—robbed of joy? (See John 10:10.)
The devil wants us to feel trapped and constrained. He wants us to believe the world is a dark and dangerous place instead of seeing that the whole earth is full of God’s glory (Isaiah 6:3). I remember years ago fretting over every decision because I wanted to stay “in the center of God’s will.” I saw God’s will as a dot, or as a tightrope I had to cautiously cross. If I didn’t do everything right, I feared missing it and being out of God’s will. That way of thinking leads to stress, not rest! Jesus didn’t say, “Come unto me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you stress.” He promised us rest. And instead of constraining us to making ruts in some tiny catwalk, He sets our feet in a large, spacious place (Psalms 18:19, 31:8, 118:5).
Reflect on this verse (2 Corinthians 3:17):
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Some other translations describe it as liberty. We have room to roam, to explore, to make decisions, to live a full and abundant life without the constant fear that we might miss God! Want to set yourself up to live in that kind of freedom?
When we submit to God, we resist the devil’s attempts to get us off-track, and he flees from us (James 4:7).
When we walk by the Spirit, we will not carry out the desire of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
When we delight ourselves in the Lord, we open the door to His placing sanctified desires in our hearts (Psalm 37:4).
And when we’re living the way just described, as long as those desires don’t violate His Word, we can pursue them without worry or trepidation and trust He is leading us. Now that’s freedom!
Thank you, JB! Helpful observations and analogies. I like to compare obsessive thoughts to a broken record that annoyingly repeats, repeats, repeats. I picture taking that disc off the record player and throwing it, frisbee style, out into the ocean. 🙂