I am at a loss for words; I am truly stuck. As I work on my ReCharge article, my mind won’t cooperate. Instead of thinking through a topic, my mind wanders into the future to tweak upcoming plans or to make a list of much-needed tasks. So, I pull my thoughts back into the present. Then my mind slowly drifts from the present into the past. Rather than finding inspiration, it spirals downward and fixates on an unpleasant memory with a complete list of “should-haves”.
Then I remember 2 Corinthians 10:5b: “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” And once again I am back in the moment, and once again I am stuck. But this time, with a better attitude, I can flip the script. What can we say about being stuck? Does God have a plan in all of this? Can Christ take captive my wandering thoughts?
OTHERS WHO BECAME STUCK
Many of our favorite Bible heroes faced harrowing situations when they were stuck. A few that come to mind are Jonah in the belly of a fish; the Israelites caught between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea; and the disciples in a perilous, raging storm that jeopardized their lives. They all thought they were stuck, but God had a plan. Did you notice that all these characters thought their circumstances had them captive? They assumed they were stuck.
What other Bible characters can you add to the list? Ask God about it if your list seems a little short; open your Bible. Instances are abundant, large and small, where God chose to show up. He lovingly shows up for us too! God shows up whether we are stuck physically, emotionally, or spiritually. He shows up in every situation. Even when we become trapped and are taken captive by poor choices, He never expects us to figure it out alone.
NOT REMAINING STUCK
Paul expresses the joy and wonderful benefits of following Jesus best in his letters. God has plans! We have eternal riches of God’s grace lavished on us: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding”(Ephesians 1:7-8). Furthermore, nothing can ever separate us from God: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither life nor death, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39). God never discards His children. He has plans! We don’t have to remain stuck in captivity.
HOPE FOR BECOMING UNSTUCK
God cares for us so deeply. His plan of redemption and Jesus’ willingness to endure the cross give us the privilege of doing life with Him. He is our hope and our peace. When we get stuck, He is there with a plan, and He always will be. Every thought can be gloriously taken captive by Christ. Amen!