Snip Those Strings

Let's say you and I go to the theater this weekend.

There is a hot show in town called "No Strings Attached."

And you know what's awesome? It's a show filled with only puppeteers and marionettes.

It's gonna be real creepy and fun.

You're welcome.

As the curtain rises, the set design appears. It's a forest full of trees and rocks with little rays of light peeking in.

The marionettes are walking through the dark woods, trying to gaze at the light they see breaking through beyond the trees.

We marvel at the talent of the master puppets as they manipulate all the strings and wires. Many of them control several puppets, and we are in awe that all those strings don't get tangled up. It must be hard to maintain all of that control.

The puppeteers are ultra-focused, working up a sweat as they manipulate and direct the marionettes' every move.

As we watch all the marionettes move around, we see the collective sadness on their painted faces (whose eyes seem to be looking right at us). They will never know freedom. They see the light and long to be free, but they are powerless. Every move they make is controlled by someone else.

The show is all about the dream of freedom.

The master puppeteers dream of a life free of controlling others. They dream of their own aspirations and callings and realize that their focus on manipulating the moves of the marionettes is depriving them of time for their own happiness.

The marionettes cry in anguish, feeling stifled and limited by their master. They dream of making their moves and stepping out into the unknown to try, fail, and find their ways.

Both the puppeteers and the marionettes long for freedom, but they are bound by strings.

The puppeteers wonder what will happen if they relinquish control. Their fear whispers lies that if they let go, the marionettes will leave or they will be hurt.  

The marionettes wonder what will happen if they actually become free. Will they be able to live and choose for themselves? Their fear whispers lies that if they are set free, they won't be able to manage on their own.

Then, all of a sudden, the plot twister enters the scene.

A bright light floods the stage, and the strings disappear into thin air.

God’s voice booms over the speakers: “Follow me and be free!”

The puppeteers step down from the bridge above where they have been hidden and come to the stage, rubbing their hands and wrists to relieve themselves of years of grasping and holding on to control.

The marionettes dance and jump joyfully, letting their joints and muscles stretch out for the first time. They feel wise, strong and powerful.

The puppeteers and marionettes embrace and walk into the light, hand in hand, able to live out their lives in freedom, string-free.

The End.

Which character do you most relate to?

The controlling master puppeteer who tries to control every move of others?

The mindless marionette, pleasing their puppeteer as the strings control their every move?

Maybe you see yourself in both characters. I sure do.

My favorite part is the bright light that sizzles all the strings away.

There is peace to be found when we allow God's light in and snip the strings of control.

This play has inspired me to do some snipping of my own.

I'm going to get my scissors; hold on, I'll be right back.

Okay. Let's do this.

I'm snipping the strings of controlling others. I release the control to God and trust that all will work out for the best and everything will be okay.

I'm snipping the strings of letting others steal my joy through manipulation. I teach people how to treat me, and I will not sacrifice my peace to succumb to the will of others who are not for me.

I'm snipping the strings of people-pleasing. I am a child of God, and while I care deeply for others, I will not deviate from my peace or purpose.

I'm snipping the strings of figuring it out and fixing it all up. I'm choosing to quiet my mind and enjoy the journey, as funky and uncertain as it may be.  

I'm snipping away habits and patterns that keep me imprisoned and stuck.

Snip, snip, snip.

Onward and upward, my string-free snip-er!

I can't wait to see what happens next!

Let's GOOOOOOOOOO!

Proverbs 14:12

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

2 Corinthians 4:6

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Psalm 36:9

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.