‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,’ Hebrews 12:1 NIV

            I love it when a big, hefty novel has a twisty plot that I can sink into. I love the entanglements of situations, links and relationships that will work themselves out, if not unravelled by the end of the novel, then these entangled plots are sufficient to pull me into the next book of the series. Getting entangled in the story, I may surface hours later, exhausted from the adventures I’ve enjoyed in my imagination.

            Entanglements in real life are less enjoyable. Complex situations that need so. much. time. devoted to their unravelling. We may well surface, hours, days, weeks later, exhausted from the very real ‘adventure’ of dealing with the situation. But we must surface so that we can see clear road ahead of us. These real-life entanglements seem to know exactly how to cause us anxiety and pain as we negotiate towards the clear outcome.

            ‘The sin that so easily entangles’ is a picture that is relatable. Tripping us up as we walk along a seemingly innocuous road, the snares that lie in wait are often hidden traps for the unwary. A missed call, a hastily sent text or email, an ill-judged post on social media can soon lead to an entanglement of problems. People to placate. Restorative calls to make. Hands held up in admission. But the throwing off of the situation is far more difficult than the becoming entangled in the first place.

BRUSH PATIENTLY

           Every day, we brush through our hair – teasing out the knots and snags, with patient persistence. This is how we work at the entanglements in our lives. We keep passing the brush through again and again. In entangled sin situations, that brush is prayer, which we apply again and again into the situation. We watch as the issue reduces as we repeatedly offer it to Jesus and allow Him to direct our actions. The persistence of passing the brush over the knots results in less damage than cutting it out, leaving an ugly space. 

            Recently, I have discovered frizz reducing products! I know I’m late to this party, but stay with me on this. They are essentially an oil, bringing smoothing and shininess to fine hair and really helping when dealing with the knots. Passing the brush through the knot-entangled hair, with the addition of this oil makes the process so much easier. Then, the finished results are so much more satisfying. It makes me think of heads anointed with oil in Psalm 23 and the joy of the blessing of the Holy Spirit bringing healing and sanctification to our troubled places. 

PRAYER WINS

            We pray – and much is accomplished in dealing with the entanglements of sin and shame. We apply the balm, the oil of the Holy Spirit over these troubled places and the results are transformed. It is no longer about what we are capable of doing, but trusting to God’s unfailing goodness and grace to see the job done well.

            Throwing off the sin that so easily entangles is a work that is best done with the right tools. I know I’m capable of embroiling myself in far worse entanglements, when left to my own devices… but, trusting to the presence and movement of the Holy Spirit, I soon discover a smooth path. I’m far better able to keep going in Jesus’ direction without holding onto the stuff that ties me up in knots. 

MEET CATHERINE…