John Newton, author of the now famous hymn Amazing Grace, also wrote the following poem about a kite:

“Were I but free, I’d take to flight,
And pierce the clouds beyond their sight,
But, ah! Like a poor pris’ner bound,
My string confines me near the ground.”

The poem continues and the kite finally does manage to free itsself, but instead of soaring higher in the sky, it crashes into the sea. The poem was entitled ‘The Kite: or Pride Must Have a Fall.’

The analogy calls me to reconsider some “strings” that make me feel constrained, like vows, promises, commitments, responsibilities. Although such things make me feel tied down, God uses them to hold me up. James said, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10).

Tags: humility, John Newton, kite