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Instructions for Breaking Out of Spiritual Prison

June 29, 2014 By Jean Wise

The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance.

Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.

Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so.

“Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him.

Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.

They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it.

When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

Acts 12: 6-10

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Lord, open my eyes and heart to your word this week.

 

The angel came to Peter and woke him up.

The angel released Peter’s chains.

The angel gave simply instructions:

   Put on your clothes.

   Slip on your sandals.

   Wrap your cloak around you.

   Follow me.

The angel led Peter quietly passed the guard who imprisoned him.

The angel brought Peter to the open gate.

The angel stayed with Peter a little longer on the street before leaving.

 

So simple, Lord.

So clear.

 

I would think this scene would be noisy as a prison break out.

The plan of escape would be complicated and full of intrique.

 

Instead, you quietly gave step by step instructions to Peter.

 

Lord break me free of what imprisons me.

Wake me up from my spiritual drowsiness.

Break the chains that bind my heart and soul.

Help me hear your simple guidance.

   Dress me in your grace.

   May my feet follow your steps.

   Wrap your cloak of love around me.

   Open my eyes so I can follow you.

Led me past those shiny things that distract my focus on you.

Bring me to your open door you have unlocked for me.

Stay with me as I venture onto the new path with you.

 

Such simply instructions.

May I follow your lead, Lord.

 

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Filed Under: lectio divina

Comments

  1. colwrite says

    June 30, 2014 at 10:28 pm

    “Open my eyes so I can follow you.” Amen!

    Beautiful reflection. God bless!

    • blankJean Wise says

      July 1, 2014 at 1:55 pm

      Thanks Colleen! Have a great week.

  2. blankLisa notes... says

    June 30, 2014 at 8:40 pm

    “Bring me to your open door you have unlocked for me.”

    Oh, my soul soaks in your words, Jean. We had a lesson yesterday about opening our eyes and seeing. I want to keep waking up more and more, and dress more fully in his grace. Beautiful words here.

    • blankJean Wise says

      July 1, 2014 at 1:55 pm

      Thanks Lisa. Lets both keep our eyes open and I bet we both will learn something new. Or maybe be reminded of something we already knew. God will surprise us.

  3. blankmarthaorlando says

    June 30, 2014 at 7:32 am

    Amen! May we all follow where God leads us!

    • blankJean Wise says

      June 30, 2014 at 7:25 pm

      Thanks for praying with me, Martha.

  4. blankLynn Mosher says

    June 29, 2014 at 9:38 pm

    Oh, yes! I pray the same. Always loved that portion of scripture. Love this!

    • blankJean Wise says

      June 30, 2014 at 7:23 pm

      I think this scripture is one so full of meaning. You can take any part of it and learn so much. Thanks, Lynn

  5. blanksoulstops says

    June 29, 2014 at 9:15 am

    Jean,
    Prayed with you..so simple…follow Him and yet I can complicate it…oh, for grace to follow Him wholeheartedly…hugs to you 🙂

    • blankJean Wise says

      June 29, 2014 at 5:15 pm

      Thanks, Dolly for joining in my prayer. I was struck by the simple one step at a time instruction. No big miracle, just get dress and follow me…. what a lesson.

Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

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