Remember your chains....

We had the youth girls small group last night & FINALLY finished the study on the book of Colossians.  Yes, Colossians only has 4 chapters & it pretty much took us almost a year because we do tend to get side tracked, as teenage girls happen to do, with stories & giggles.... & yes, since I'm in this group, I do officially consider myself a "teenage girl"....

But the key is, we DID IT!  We got through a book of the Bible - line by line - trying to make sense of some of the confusing stuff, & really putting some of the words of advise into "today's" language & situations.

Coming up to the closing, we were reminded over & over that Paul was in prison writing this.  And in verse 18, I was reading it & 3 words just about stopped me cold in my tracks...

I, Paul write this greeting in my own hand.  REMEMBER MY CHAINS.  Grace be with you.

Colossians 4:18

Remember my chains....

I dont know why it took my breath away like it did... but it did...

I guess because we know Paul was in prison & had real, solid chains on him & he wanted people to remember what he was going through, but still praising, worshipping, telling others of Jesus.... all still with joy in his heart.

But I instantly thought of MY chains... I'm not in a prison cell, with actual chains around my wrist - but chains have a way of holding us still, right?  ....Sin....

And it was funny because I stopped & said, "There's a song like this...." & the girls started naming off songs.. nope, nope nope... but on the drive home - it hit me.. & how could I even DOUBTED who sang the song?  Steven Curtis Chapman!!!! 

So, if you have a few minutes, listen to this song today - especially listen to the few words he says at the beginning... they are pretty powerful.... & take in that hair style while you're at it... ahh, memories!  I have loved my Steven through all the mullets of the years he sported...

....Remember your chains are gone...