In October 2011, I had the rare privilege of being allowed to ride an elephant. Yes, you read this correctly. I actually climbed on an adult elephant's back and rode her. Although it was an odd combination of rocking back and forth and up and down, it was by far one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced. The elephant was gentle, yet playful. Even though she was massive, I never feared she would harm me. I suppose this is because she had been raised in captivity. Chances are, she had Circus Elephant Syndrome.
If you've ever been to the circus, there's a good chance you've seen an elephant tied with a chain to a stake in the ground. The elephant is so large, she could easily break free, yet she never tries. The reason for this is because when she was tied to the stake as a baby, she did try to escape. Unfortunately, as a baby, she wasn't strong enough to break free, and the chain and metal collar physically wounded her. Because of this, the elephant stopped trying to escape. As the elephant grew older, she didn't forget the pain she endured as a child; therefore, she was held captive by the memory of being hurt.
If you've ever been to the circus, there's a good chance you've seen an elephant tied with a chain to a stake in the ground. The elephant is so large, she could easily break free, yet she never tries. The reason for this is because when she was tied to the stake as a baby, she did try to escape. Unfortunately, as a baby, she wasn't strong enough to break free, and the chain and metal collar physically wounded her. Because of this, the elephant stopped trying to escape. As the elephant grew older, she didn't forget the pain she endured as a child; therefore, she was held captive by the memory of being hurt.
I was reminded of Circus Elephant Syndrome when I read Philippians 1:7. In a way, Paul was like the elephant in the circus because he was imprisoned. Yet unlike the elephants, Paul wasn't subdued because of his chains; he was joyful. As he talked to the people of Philippi, Paul said they were all "partakers of grace." Intrigued by this phrase, I began to study the original language in which Paul wrote. I have to admit, I was surprised at what I learned.
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, partakers of grace means a person is "protected and sanctified by the favor of God." It's hard to believe Paul was writing about experiencing God's favor and protection during a time of imprisonment. I doubt few of us would choose to have such a positive outlook while being wrongfully confined. I've often wondered how Paul was able to continually praise God. The only conclusion I can reach is that he always remembered how Jesus suffered on the cross just to save him from spending an eternity in Hell. Because Paul constantly reminded himself that he would one day spend an eternity in Heaven, being imprisoned didn't seem so bad.
I hate to admit it, but I'm guilty of not thanking God every day for saving me from my sins. It's not that I forget what Christ did on the cross, but I become too focused on the circumstances of my life. When I do this, I set myself up to experience Circus Elephant Syndrome. Christ's death and resurrection made it possible for me to break free from my personal chains. Unfortunately, all too often I focus on the suffering and pain I've endured and remain a prisoner to my many doubts and fears.
Anyone who is sick is prone to experience Circus Elephant Syndrome. Sickness and suffering are our own personal prisons. Anytime a person is sick, he is confined to the limitations his disease places on his life, but just because he lives with a physical prison doesn't mean he must live in a spiritual prison. Like Paul, anyone can rise above his circumstances emotionally and spiritually. The key is to focus on what Christ endured on the cross and let it serve as a reminder that He truly does love every one of us. When we do this, we will also be able to say we are partakers of grace.
As we celebrate Independence Day and the freedoms we have in this country, I can think of no better time to survey our lives to see if we are free in every sense of the word. We can all claim we have political freedom, but what about the other areas of our lives? Are you free emotionally and spiritually, or are you suffering from Circus Elephant Syndrome?
It's been said that an elephant never forgets, but maybe it's time we start forgetting the pain we've endured and break free of some chains. Then we really will have something to celebrate!
"For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partakers of grace with me." ~ Philippians 1:7 (NASB)
(c) July 2, 2012
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, partakers of grace means a person is "protected and sanctified by the favor of God." It's hard to believe Paul was writing about experiencing God's favor and protection during a time of imprisonment. I doubt few of us would choose to have such a positive outlook while being wrongfully confined. I've often wondered how Paul was able to continually praise God. The only conclusion I can reach is that he always remembered how Jesus suffered on the cross just to save him from spending an eternity in Hell. Because Paul constantly reminded himself that he would one day spend an eternity in Heaven, being imprisoned didn't seem so bad.
I hate to admit it, but I'm guilty of not thanking God every day for saving me from my sins. It's not that I forget what Christ did on the cross, but I become too focused on the circumstances of my life. When I do this, I set myself up to experience Circus Elephant Syndrome. Christ's death and resurrection made it possible for me to break free from my personal chains. Unfortunately, all too often I focus on the suffering and pain I've endured and remain a prisoner to my many doubts and fears.
Anyone who is sick is prone to experience Circus Elephant Syndrome. Sickness and suffering are our own personal prisons. Anytime a person is sick, he is confined to the limitations his disease places on his life, but just because he lives with a physical prison doesn't mean he must live in a spiritual prison. Like Paul, anyone can rise above his circumstances emotionally and spiritually. The key is to focus on what Christ endured on the cross and let it serve as a reminder that He truly does love every one of us. When we do this, we will also be able to say we are partakers of grace.
As we celebrate Independence Day and the freedoms we have in this country, I can think of no better time to survey our lives to see if we are free in every sense of the word. We can all claim we have political freedom, but what about the other areas of our lives? Are you free emotionally and spiritually, or are you suffering from Circus Elephant Syndrome?
It's been said that an elephant never forgets, but maybe it's time we start forgetting the pain we've endured and break free of some chains. Then we really will have something to celebrate!
"For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partakers of grace with me." ~ Philippians 1:7 (NASB)
(c) July 2, 2012
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