Walking through my brother’s old barn I spotted this lock on a stall door.  As far as security devices go, this lock is not overly complex or sophisticated.  There are no computer chips or timers built in to add to the security of the device and even a small child could figure out the combination in a matter of minutes.  But to the horses held captive behind its doors, it is just about as secure as Fort Knox.  No horse has ever been able to escape its iron grip.
           
As I examined this primitive security device I began to see some similarities between us and the horses.  Many times in our lives we too are held captive by some very simple yet effective locks.  Too often we are enslaved by addictions, habits, prejudices and attitudes that seem unbreakable to us while we are held in their icy grip.  Then afterward once we have broken their hold on us and have examined the lock that held us, we are amazed at how simple and elementary the lock was. 

Imagine that this barn door had held you captive for years and one day you were released from your prison.  Once you were on the other side of the door and looked at the lock that secured your prison, would you not be angry at the simplicity of the lock?  Would you not want to kick yourself for not unlocking the door sooner?  I believe that is exactly what is happening to us today.  We are held captive by many things that we could easily break free of if we only realized that we already have the key.

Freedom is a choice.  We can be free at the moment we wish to be.  The strength we need to liberate ourselves is simply a matter of the made-up mind.  Perhaps an addiction has taken your dignity and family from you and has convinced you that you are powerless and incapable to live without it.  They have lied to you; freedom can be yours today if you choose to be free.  It may require confession or having the courage to ask for help or maybe all that is needed is for you to reach through the bars and open the lock.  You can be free today or you can remain a slave, but the choice is up to you.  Freedom is a choice.

Something to think about:

• Self is the only prison that can ever truly bind your soul.

• Two men looked out prison bars; one saw mud, the other saw the stars.

• We either build better schools and churches, or else we must build better prison cells.

• Today . . . that special block of time holding the key that locks out yesterday’s nightmares and unlocks tomorrow’s dreams.

• Every person carries a key that can open the door of freedom to others.

• If the door to success is marked pull and still won’t open, ignore the sign and push.

• It is cynicism and fear that freeze life; it is faith that thaws it out, releases it, sets it free.

• Who has lost his freedom has nothing else to lose.

Enjoying my freedom
Rickey Moore
To see Moore free photos visit www.rlmoore.com