bedazzled shackles are still ugly.

this is a word from the Lord to me, and because it speaks so close to my heart i'm sure someone else is w/ me.
so be encouraged!

this is what the Lord has declared to me:
"what benefit is it to decorate your shackles? you carve and engrave delicate patterns, you add jewels and stones. pretending they are an ornament changes nothing about the fact that they are a testimony of your slavery.
be careful not to make them appear too beautiful, for they are covered in your blood. they cause your wounds, making the patterns a scar to your wrists.
be careful, for someday the King will come to call you away from your bondage - holding the key to your shackles. will you be able to leave them behind? or will you try to stow them away to remember their shinny lies?
as your wounds heal, you are prone to forget how deep they cut you and how much of your life they have claimed. chains are chains, and they proclaim your master. these are no bangles that you might play as if you were royalty!
you have been called out. you ARE royalty. leave these old bonds for your crowns of gold, and see the inheritance of the Prince is waiting for you. the throne room of heaven is open that you may enter and call the Mighty King, 'father'.
yet you do not enter.
you sit in the dark and play with your 'bangles' and wonder why you are still lost in your chains."