I learned a new word, mizriam (mitsrayim). It’s the Hebrew word for Egypt, the promise land, of a territory and people, and it’s also a name. So what? Well, it is a reference to a place, but as I was listening to a Rabbi explain it, he expanded it to leaving a narrow place, journeying through the desert to get to the promise land. This lead me to reflect on being enslaved. 

What is keeping me in the “narrow place”? What do I need to travel through the desert with to find the promise land? What is keeping me enslaved? Is it my need to keep up my image on Facebook? Is it my love of money? Is it my need for employment that represents status? Is it my unwillingness to forgive? Is it my resentment that God isn’t doing what I want? Is it my fear of the desert?

Let’s face it. I stay captive in the narrow place because the desert is scary. The desert is miserable. It forces me to examine myself and see my faults, and the many ways I have let others down.

I face the desert because I don’t face it alone, and it’s His promise of a promise land, of freedom, that pushes me forward. This reminds me that the desert is worth it to experience freedom.

⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.
¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”
¹² even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence? (Psalm 139 NIV).

Choosing to leave enslavement for freedom isn’t easy. Trusting God in the desert can be one of the hardest things we face. The promise of freedom is worth it. Freedom brings with it greater love, compassion, grace and mercy for myself and others. It brings a closer relationship with Christ. As Easter approaches and I reflect on the gift of Christ, I’m humbled to know this was for salvation and freedom on earth. He declares me forgiven and free. I just need to accept it.

Are you willing to accept the gift of Christ? Are you ready for freedom? Are you willing to trust God in the desert? Are you ready give up being enslaved?  Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.