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Sweet Feed

 

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”  Galatians 5:1

 

A story is told of a very rich industrialist in the early twentieth century who wanted to use his wealth to gather the most impressive collection of animals ever in captivity.  The zoo that he was building was not for a city, state, or even to share.  His animal collection was for himself to enjoy.

 

Several years into his endeavor he began to hear about a certain species of antelope that had never been in captivity and he decided he would be the first to accomplish that, up to that time, an impossible task.  So, he set out for Africa.  He was told he would never succeed.  “They are beautiful, but they are too strong, smart, and fast.”Arrogantly he told them he had a plan.

 

After traveling several hours into the bush, he left his party to set up the camp site while he walked into the plain and planted his trap.  He spread buckets of sweet feed onto the ground then returned back to his base.  That night the entire heard of antelope showed up and enjoyed the feast.

 

The next night, he did the same thing. He spread the feed and went back to camp.  In the middle of the night, the antelope arrived and ate.

 

For fourteen days, he left food in the plain, but on the 15th night he changed his routine.  He drove one 8 foot fence post into the ground before he left the feed.  The fence post did not scare away the animals.  They ate as normal.  The next night, one more fence post went into the ground along with the food and the next another.  After two weeks, a corral had been built with only one small entrance.  The feed continued to go on the ground and the antelope continued to visit.  Then, on the final night as the animals entered for their evening meal, the wealthy man secured the last portion of the fence capturing the entire herd.

 

As he arrived back in the US with the most brilliant of the animals in tow, he was met by a reporter who asked him how he knew what to do.  His response is chilling.  With a cocky swagger, he declared, “I treated these animals as I treat people.  I give them what they think they want, and in return, they give me their beauty and their freedom.”

 

Wow…if we were able to interview the devil about how he introduces sin and pride into the lives of Christians all over the world, I believe he would say the same thing.  “I give them what they want and in return, they give me their beauty and their freedom.”

 

God wants you to be free.  Free to live, to love, and to make wise decisions.  May the picture of the antelope that were slowly corralled remind us all that we have an enemy who offers us temporary pleasure up front that leads to captivity.  But God offers us safety, protection, and freedom.

Do you have a thought on temptation that you would like to share? Do you have a question about freedom in Christ that you would like to see addressed in this weekly email?  If so, send your thoughts and/or questions to info@groundwire.net.

 

 

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