Sack race

I loved the games we played when I was a kid, especially the sack race game.  Two people are put together; one leg from each person is put into a sack and then the bag is tied shut.  Object of the game is to work together to get to the finish line first.  To make it even more difficult two people of different sizes were often put together.  Bruises, grass stains from falling down, and sometimes even being drug along by your partner become the survival-mode of getting to the finish line!
   

Don’t know if the prophet Isaiah ever play the sack game, but he certainly describes the process in Isaiah 5:18.  What sorrow for those who drag their sins behind them with ropes made of lies, who drag wickedness behind them like a cart.

  

Amazing how some of these same games seem to weave their way into our lives as adults.  Only the game is no longer fun but instead becomes a destructive way of life. 

The ropes of deception can bind us so tightly that only when they are broken do we realize how much of a stronghold they actually were.  These ropes don’t appear overnight nor would we think we could be controlled by them.  They build with one compromise upon another usually starting with something small, something seemingly innocent.   

Ø  A “small white lie” becomes a foundation for others to build upon.

Ø  A clerk’s mistake on our bill could be seen as our “advantage”…do we say something or consider it a “blessing”? 

Ø  An innocent look that becomes easier to linger the next time (a pornographic website that pops on our computer screen or TV channel when searching).

Ø  An innocent touch that turns into a longing for someone other than our spouse. 

Ø  “If one pill helps with the pain, two will be even better”, prescription medicine turning into a habit.

Ø  A comment or action made toward us that we allow to fester in our hearts turning into hatred and/or gossip. 

Ropes of destruction become weights that hold us down and keep us back from living a life of freedom, hope and peace.  They become the binding force behind not extending mercy and grace (i.e. forgiveness) to others.  Freeing ourselves of these ropes become the avenue through which God can work in and through us to show the world who He is.   

The book of Isaiah is filled with the Israelites getting caught in these ropes of bondage and God’s responses.

Isaiah 30:1, 12-13, 15,18 (NLT) “What sorrow awaits my rebellious children,”
says the Lord…“Because you despise what I tell you and trust instead in oppression and lies, calamity will come upon you suddenly—like a bulging wall that bursts and falls. In an instant it will collapse and come crashing down…”

“Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength…”

So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion.
For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help. 

How then do we get out of this cycle?  We cannot do this on our own. 

     First: Admit, stop hiding and recognize what your rope of destruction is.  People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.  (Proverbs 28:13)

     Second:  Repent.  Simply put, do a complete 180◦ about face turn.  But don’t just turn, RUN from those ropes.  Ask for forgiveness from God and possibly those you have wronged.  So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. (Isaiah 30:18)  God pursues us and longs to show us His love and compassion even when others won’t.

     Third:  Find a Christ follower who will hold you accountable.  Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. (2 Timothy 2:22)

     Finally:  Wait on the Lord.  Let God’s Word (the Bible) be the foundation you build upon. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 

Games don’t have to stop when we “grow-up.”  We just need to remember to keep the ropes where they belong.