out of bondage

I've been going through a revival of rereading books that I thoroughly enjoyed in later elementary, middle, and high school. I'm realizing/remembering that those books were good. Even though I begrudgingly read them and cranked out the obligatory book report at the end, I think a small part of me acknowledged the fact that this was, indeed, a good piece of literature.

For reasons I don't really know, I was reminded of the book "The Bronze Bow" by Elizabeth George Speare. I think I read it in the fifth or sixth grade.

On a whim, I was at Barnes and Noble and decided to buy it.

So, as I'm reading it and marveling at how large the font is, I get to the part in which main character Daniel has just hijacked a traveling caravan of merchants. (author's note: I don't want to given an exhaustive plot summary so I'll try to explain as best I can...)

He and a crew of zealots have succeeded in their goal of stealing a rather massively large slave that had been sent to be sold at the galleys. As a slave, he is chained with manacles. His ankles are bound as well so he cannot even take full stride steps. Daniel observes the markings on his body from multiple beatings. It is such a literal picture and example of bondage.

As Daniel is set to the task of taking off his chains, the slave is silent. After hours and hours of pounding away, the slave (who they call "Samson" appropriately enough) is now free of his bonds. He stares at his hands (which had been bound probably for years) and is still silent. Daniel, confused, leans down and touches his shoulder. Samson stands up to his full size. This alarms and frightens Daniel and he watches as the man stretches out and then in one swift movement, falls to his knees. He places his forehead onto Daniel's feet.

Daniel is embarrassed, knowing that he was just following the orders of his superior zealot. But the slave is unmoved by Daniel's oppositions. He is free. And here is the man who gave him freedom.

I was incredibly moved by this picture. What if I was a slave who had chains on my ankles and wrists for years? What if someone came along and inexplicably took them off? What would I do?

And then I realized, this has happened for me. And just as Samson could not communicate his inexpressible appreciation enough - that's how I want to be living as well.

"My chains fell off, my heart was free

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee."

- And Can It Be That I Should Gain, Charles Wesley