Piece & Chain Around My Neck!
Proverbs 6:20-23
20
My son, keep your father’s command,
And
do not forsake the law of your mother.
21 Bind them continually upon your heart;
Tie
them around your neck.
22 When you roam, they[b] will lead you;
When
you sleep, they will keep you;
And
when you awake, they will speak with
you.
23 For the commandment is a lamp,
And
the law a light;
Reproofs
of instruction are the way of life,
In the early 80’s gold chains were very popular. They
started out as simple neck accessories and eventually turned into a status
symbol. The bigger the better was the belief. Along with the chain there had to
be a “piece”. The Piece was some sort of medallion or object that hung from the
chain. Television stars, athletes, and musicians wore their “piece and chains”
with pride. Then the fad disappeared.
However, with the resurgence of retro style, the “piece and
chain” has returned. The chains grew from 26” and 30” to 60” and 70”. The
piece, which denotes everything from a cartoon character, a symbol for Jesus,
personal initials, the name of a record label, or some popular saying has grown
to weighty chest size billboards. I even saw a long chain with a piece that
read “Big A** Chain”!
Of all things people wear around their neck to symbolize
their beliefs and personal statements, it is debatable whether the weight of
the statement they're carrying is pulling them down or lifting them up. The
weight, actual or literal, can be more of an anchor than an emblem of
encouragement.
People also wear past experiences around their neck like a
medallion on a chain. As much they want to progress in life, they are carrying
this pendant of failure and disappointment that promotes an uncomfortable past.
That does not have to be your story. God gave you great
vision and purpose before you were placed in your mother’s womb. Then, He
instilled divine instructions into your upbringing. Even those parents that
struggled at being quality parents occasionally provided a great piece of
direction. I believe those moments of great direction are divine.
Carry quality
instruction as your piece and chain by maintaining moments of correction
close to you – these will not only be the light for your eyes to see what is
right, but also the lamp that guides your footsteps along the way.
Well written! You are so right, we often times carry shame, guilt, pain, unforgiveness, etc. around our necks. These feelings also tend to come out in our walk, talk, and actions. The armor of God comes with a speacial coating of protection from these feelings. If we cast our cares upon Him, we can exchange those burdens for a crown and a robe! Now that's true royalty!!
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