Suffering in iron chains…

I wonder if these days, in our comfortable culture, we relegate the idea of slavery to history or remote places?  Slavery is very distant from us.  Yet I think that most are still reviled by the injustice and stolen freedom.  We feel strongly for those afflicted, either past or present.

But what of unseen chains that might hold captive many, particularly in the places and spaces we live?  What if these chains hold us back from freedom?  What if these chains tether us to broken and shameful pasts?  What if many of us remain enslaved?  Consider the notion of being enslaved to broken relationships.  Perhaps a broken relationship with a lover.  Or a broken relationship with a sibling, or family member.  Maybe a broken relationship with God?

Each of these, and many more, fasten us to our past.  With a massive iron ball on the end of the chain, we have lost our freedom to run or to fly.  We long to move forward, but the unseen chain remains.  An ancient hymn likens it to being ‘prisoners in utter darkness suffering in iron chains.’

What to do?  That hymn goes on to say, ‘They cried to the Lord, and he saved them from their distress.  He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains.’  Why are some words so hard to utter?  Words like, “I’m sorry”.  Or, “I forgive you.”

Yes, hard to say.  But they break chains.