My hand reached for the magazine sitting on my jet black dashboard. The hot pink cover faded into a dusty peach hue. The other colors now contorted by intense Florida sun, and unbeknownst to me the binding is undone- no longer bound. I opened the magazine and a few pages slid out. The glue rendered completely useless- the collection of pages now undone, no longer bound.
It had only been a weekend that the forgotten magazine lay baking under tropical rays, although it appeared lost for weeks due to its strange new hue. I salvaged a few important pages and tucked them away for later. I barely had to tug on the pages for them to release. The glue was gone, the binding was undone- no longer bound. The pages seemed almost joyful as they slid out of the magazine at the touch of my hand. Undone. No longer bound.
The Next Day
A brand new book purchased from my favorite thrift store traveled with me to the sauna. Although I reside in a perpetual sauna, sometimes I need to sweat harder to think clearer. A few minutes into the sweat session, I notice pages slipping out, joyfully releasing themselves from the middle of my second hand book. They were undone- no longer bound.
“Really? This again? Wait, why did I bring this book into the hot box with me? It’s 160 degrees in here. Of course my book will melt!” I chuckled at my error.
But then it hit me like a ton of bricks, or should I say stones. Yes, I felt as if David’s fifth and final stone hit me right between the eyes. A giant realization fell to the ground floor of my spirit. I know God’s confirmation often gets mistaken for coincidence, but I’ve walked with Him long enough to know the difference. I also know that when we sincerely pray, “Speak, Lord,” we should expect Him to speak- via scripture and Spirit.
Yes. The confirmation hit me. I am undone- no longer bound.
You see, in the matter of milliseconds, God can bring a thing full circle. In the blink of an eye, He can answer the question, “What now, Lord?” (A question I’ve been asking for months.) In the time it takes for a bead of sweat to fall from my head to my toes, the page of life turns. The seasons change. I am undone, no longer bound.
I am undone to be remade from the ground floor of my spirit because the Creator has pierced the depths of my soul with clarity, conviction, and ignited a fire that’s been kindling for generations. I am no longer bound because everything He wanted to release has been released, and moreover, the time is now for, “what’s next”- the magazine and book a confirmation, not coincidence. The pages of a previous story and season joyfully slip away at the touch of His gentle hand. The glue of days gone by rendered useless regarding what’s next.
The pages of a previous story and season joyfully slip away at the touch of His gentle hand. The glue of days gone by rendered useless regarding what’s next.
Yes, He is exchanging the faded hue for a new shiny lacquer. I am undone, no longer bound.
Oh, friend, don’t you wish to hear Him speak secrets to your heart? I pray you will seek Him because I know you will find Him.
Yes, when we pray for Him to speak, may we search every corner of our days for the Spirit’s call to our hearts. May we seek Him while dripping with sweat, sweeping crumbs off the floor, and as we drift off to sleep. May we believe He wants to share secrets and answer questions stirring in our spirit. May our heart, soul, and mind be open and actively seeking our good Father. Because when we seek, we will find. And in His presence we are undone- no longer bound.
With Love,
Audra
In case you missed it…
Pick Up the Shell
"Pick up the shell,” God whispered. I had just finished a short time of prayer before starting my day. I like to absorb morning sunlight and caffeine simultaneously. On certain days when my children are entertained with blocks or books, I grab my Bible to spend my morning porch time in prayer.
Another bullseye, Audra! No more “what now Lord?” Instead, “what next Lord!” Great post!