Comfortable Captivity

My family and I had a wonderful day together last Thursday. We spent time curiously exploring The Franklin Institute in downtown Philadelphia and then headed off to the Philadelphia Zoo mid-afternoon. Cobras, goats, giraffes and polar bears captivated our children’s attention as if Christmas morning had come early. My wife and I were in awe of the tiger’s beautiful coat and the orangutan’s amazing acrobatics. But one animal held my gaze longer than all the rest.

This mighty creature weighs nearly four times my weight (thanks to my running regimen, I’m sure) and is strong enough to pick me up and throw me 15 yards. Yet, here he is- docile. Complacent. At peace. As I drove the family minivan home that night. I couldn’t get this specific image out of my mind. Surely he has the strength to run with all his might and break down the puny door that stands between him and ultimate freedom. I’m not suggesting his current living quarters are unsanitary or unkind, only that there is a much larger world to live in on the outside of the glass and concrete. Granted, the Philadelphia Zoo has created an amazing network of skywalk netting, allowing the primates to move freely about the park’s canopy. Still, I wondered, wouldn’t he prefer a larger canopy to traverse. Wouldn’t we? We are all held captive by something. Fear of failure, insecurity, addictions, and lack of initiative are just some of the things keeping us caged, locked away from a life of purpose and true fulfillment. How can we break free?

• Admit you are a captive of something. Identify what is holding you back from being your absolute best. The gorilla was born at the zoo. He has no idea there is something more out there. You do. You have an advantage.
• Recognize that it’s comfortable in your current state. The familiarity in your present life environment makes change more difficult than it needs to be. Think of it this way, my primate friend above enjoys free food, safety from harm, relationships with other friends and thousands of house guests every year. Even if he knew there was more to life, why would he want to leave?
• Dream of the life you’re rather be living. Picture the world outside of your captivity. Imaging a life without the crutch of alcohol, where credit cards don’t exist, or the one where you never have to clear your internet browser history. For my family, we’d like to be free from debt so we can support missionaries and friends in need locally. It also wouldn’t hurt to have a minivan that isn’t 14 years old. Nonetheless, we are thankful!
• START moving toward that dream today. Take baby steps to move you forward. You must be deliberate, calculated and have a plan. Figure out which puzzle pieces need to be interlocked to get you moving toward your dream. Many times, it’s simpler than you think.

Sit down with a pen and paper right now. If you like, use a software tool like Evernote. Write down (or type) one thing that is holding you captive. Now dream big. Where would you like to be in three years, five years or even one year from now? Finally, develop a step by step plan to move toward that dream. Finances- cut up the credit cards. Addictions- find unconditional accountability. Relationship healing- pick up the phone. No matter the plan- pray. Pray for healing in your heart and the strength to take action.

There is no reason to live in captivity one more day.