Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:10-12, ESV
Last summer, my husband Eric and I took his dad’s boat out on our local lake. I brought a detective novel and was in charge of the net. On one particular catch, once the fish had landed snugly in the boat, Eric set about freeing it but soon realized it wasn’t a typical release. The hook had not only gone into the side of the mouth at an angle that was hard to undo, but it had somehow twisted into the net itself.
Eric worked patiently away with his pliers as the fish flopped in desperation, tangling the net even further. Suddenly, tears were streaming down my face, watching the distressing situation.
Eric glanced up with sympathy. “Oh, you have such a soft heart. Don’t worry. He’ll be okay.”
But I wasn’t crying for just the fish. In the scene before me, I saw myself, tangled up in sin, self, and the world. What must have looked to the fish like a nourishing meal a few moments prior had turned into painful captivity. How quickly we as human beings can be tempted by the things of this world—and how quickly those things ensnare us.
Eventually, Eric’s steadfast hands freed the fish, and my tears dried in the sunshine. However, I won’t forget the picture that the Holy Spirit placed on my heart that afternoon. On our own, we are foolish, trapped, and bound for death. When repentant, Christ sets us free.
Dear Lord, we pray for the staff and students in schools across the globe today. We know that we live in a sinful world and have sinful natures. Please prompt our hearts to run to Jesus in repentance immediately, trustingly, and wholeheartedly when we feel the net of sin settling over us. Thank you for the freedom that is available to us in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Copyright Kristi Shanenko.
Kristi is Christian Educators member and a high school English teacher who lives in North Dakota.
2 Responses
Thank you for sharing this vivid picture of the snare we find ourselves in Kristi. I like how Eric’s steadfast hands and confidence picture Christ’s power and competence to set us free. If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed!
Netted: I appreciated the comparison in this devotional. Thank Gad that for Jesus Christ who died and rose again to free us from the tangled mess called sin. May me continue to grow in the knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ.