Advent Devotional, Nov. 30: “With Strings Attached” by John Edgerton

A bird lands on a perch. It has done so thousands of times before but this time is different. The perch gives way. Sure footing is gone and a short tumble through the air is stopped short. A string draws taut. The knot cinching tighter the harder the bird struggles. Trapped. Snared. The end.

And then just as suddenly freedom! The string is snapped in the middle, the snare broken. The bird is free. Just being alive is a joy, its wings beat the air flying as if for the first time. But around its leg the knotted string is still attached, serving as a reminder of a narrow escape.

Resurrection is amazing. Freedom is amazing. Redemption is amazing.

Just ask someone holding the brass-heavy weight of a one year medallion. Just ask someone hearing the news that the five-year scan shows they’re cancer free. Anyone could increase the list.

Resurrection is amazing. Freedom is amazing. Redemption is amazing. But it comes with some strings attached.

If you understand deep down what the psalmist felt in saying “if it had not been the Lord who was on my side” you have a responsibility. You have to tell your story, show people the knotted string still hanging from you, let them see the bonds that almost destroyed you. You must show the brokenhearted the light of God, Who is breaking like the dawn inside of you.

God, make me an instrument of Your redeeming work.

###

United Church of Christ Stillspeaking Devotional Published by Pilgrim Press. Shared with permission of the publisher.