This is a picture image that came to me while in prayer. I was feeling confined and helpless in this season of my life. The Holy Spirit showed me a bird in a bird cage. The birds name was hope and the owner of the cage was Jesus. As you read this I pray it will encourage you, especially if you’re waiting for a breakthrough. My spirit was impressed that there can be two different cages. One that the Lord allows for our maturing as He is working all things for our good and one the enemy traps us in through fear, anger, depression or a stronghold to keep us from being free. Jesus our redeemer and rescuer has the key to this cage and will set us free, when we surrender our will to His!
Hope In a Cage
Once upon a time there was a beautiful bird cage placed on a porch. The owner of the cage suddenly placed an ordinary bird in the cage. Hope was her name. Hope soon realized that she was restricted to only look through the bars of the cage. No longer free to fly with the other birds. Hope was isolated no longer able to build her nest where she chose. Hope could only see other birds fly by as they prepared for their new season. Sometimes the birds would look into Hope’s cage and with great sadness they wished they could free her. Helpless they returned to their nests. Hope dreamed of the day she too would be free. She imagined the day the owner of the cage would open the door and away she would fly. For just an instant she could feel the weight of captivity fading away and the glorious taste of freedom. All to quickly reality rushed in and she realized it was her spirit that was free, and her frail body was still bound to the cage. Hope wondered if that day would ever come. Every day she jumped up and down from her perch, pecking at the door, frantically searching for a way out. In a moment of despair, she flew to the bottom of the cage. Trying to hide in the corner she was unable to sing or make a sound to the other birds. The feathered creatures knew something was wrong and rallied outside her cage chirping encouragement, but Hope was unable to respond. As her listless little body was unable to move, she reflected on the days when she was able to build her own nest from season to season never realizing the beauty and gift of the freedom she had. Bittersweet memories came as she closed her eyes wanting not to wake up to face another day in captivity. She knew birds were created to be free. Suddenly, in her spirit she knew the owner of the cage was approaching. Her heart fluttered as He tenderly picked up her cage and held it to His chest. The atmosphere change as He spoke of the love He had for her. Somehow, she knew He wanted to set her free, but now was not the time. Comforted by His presence she flew to her perch and through the spindles of the cage she gave Him a peck on His cheek. Hope knew she could trust Him even though she didn’t understand. The time had come for the owner of the cage to leave. He gently placed the cage back onto its stand. Hope was restored for another day. Hope believed He would return at the perfect time. So now she’s back on her perch singing and waiting. One day He will open the cage door and she will be free to fly to her new season of life.
