Several years ago I purchased a large poster that carries a powerful spiritual message for those who have the eyes to see. There are no words to read on the poster, but the picture is worth ten thousand words. In the center of the poster is a bird cage containing a small yellow canary and looking into the cage is a large black cat. You can see the cat's sharp claws resting on the lower bars as he hungrily eyes the bird. The cat's eyes never leave the canary for a moment as he presses his nose against the side of the cage.

And what is the canary doing as she is stalked by her enemy? She is sitting on her little swing with a contented smile on her face whistling a tune. There is no panic, no confusion, no fear. The canary has learned through experience that she is safe and secure in her cage. She knows that as long as she is in the cage, the cat has no power over her.

And so she swings back and forth singing her joyful song as the hungry cat watches her intently, licking his chops in anticipation of a canary dinner. Though she can almost feel his hot breath against her feathers, she has confidence that he can't penetrate the metal bars of the cage. There is no reason for her to be afraid.

Possibly there was a time when the cat would draw near to the cage and the little canary would flutter about in a state of panic, hoping that she would be able to preserve herself from the enemy that sought to destroy her. But finally she realized that the cage offered her protection from the cat. As long as she remained in the cage, she was safe. She learned how to rest right in the midst of problems and adversity.

As Christians, we too have an enemy who goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8). But as long as we remain in Christ, he will never be able to destroy us. He may rock the cage at times, but we can be secure knowing that in Christ there is absolute safety. Like the little yellow canary, we can always have a song in our hearts and the peace that passes all understanding.

Some would try to convince us that Christianity is confining, even encouraging us to abandon our life in Christ. "Why stay in a cage when you can fly free?" they ask.

And all the while, the old cat is waiting just outside the cage. A bird would have to be crazy to leave the security of the cage with Old Tom around. The cage is not confining, but protective. The cage represents safety, security and a place of refuge in times of trouble. Any wise bird understands that basic truth.

One who is in Christ knows that he has not lost his freedom. Rather he has been given a marvelous freedom, freedom from fear. Though the winds blow and the storms come and the big ugly cat is lurking near, we do not have to fear. When we rest confidently in Jesus Christ, there is safety. When we are in Christ, the devil has no power or authority over us. So like the little canary sitting on her swing, let us sing songs of praise and rejoice in the Lord.