Years ago, a woman I barely knew was sent to prison and asked for me to come visit her. It totally took me by surprise. What was this lady thinking? I remember asking, “Why me, Lord? Why me? Please don’t rock my world like this!”
I had no idea the journey I was fixing to begin. You see, I’d never been to a prison and I didn’t want to go now! In my prayer and quiet time I felt God continually nudging me to go. I kicked and screamed, but finally submitted.
As the day came I was in a panic. What was I suppose to say to this lady? What would the prison be like? All I could envision was the slamming of the prison doors behind me as I walked in. And to be honest – this freaked me out!
I began begging God to let me out of this assignment, but He didn’t relent. He confirmed every step of the way that He was going with me, but that didn’t make this journey any easier. Arriving at the prison a guard confronted me. I had arrived at the wrong time. I had entered the wrong way. He was a gruff man and scared me to death. He finally said, “Lady, you need to come back in a few hours.”
As I headed back to my car (actually, I was stomping like a two-year old) I was thinking, “God, this is crazy! I am not coming back here.” And once again He snatched my heart and said, “Yes you are, child!” Being the sweet argumentative one that I am, I told God he had a few hours to prove to me that I should go as I headed to a fast-food restaurant to get a drink and read my Bible.
Once there, flipping through scripture I came across Matthew 25:37-40 NIV:
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”
As I read that you would think that this would have convinced me, but, I once again begin to argue with God. “OK Lord, you say the things we DO are as if we are doing them for You. But if I just don’t do it, if I don’t go to the prison then what does it hurt. I just haven’t done anything for anybody. Right?” Like God was going to confirm that nonsense. Instead He said, “Child, keep reading.”
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’” (Matt. 25:44-45 NIV)
You can imagine how my heart quickened and my spirit wept when I read the words, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” I begged the Lord for forgiveness as I made my way back to the prison that day.
You can already guess. I traipsed myself back to that prison. This was definitely a jail house rock experience for me. God came through in unexpected ways and rocked my way of thinking. I learned that using your gifts, talents, finances, and time for Christ and His cause to reach others will come in ways you least expect it.
My job is to keep my eyes open to how I can unselfishly become the hands and feet of Christ and serve the least of these – the broken, hurting, imprisoned, hungry, grieving, impoverished, abused, addicted, lonely . . .
A journey with that focus will definitely rock your world!
Have you obeyed recently and had God rock your world?
As a matter of fact, yes, I have. My ministry has always been, and continues to be, focused on women. However, last year, God made it very clear that I was to help a friend who was hosting lunch for a group of international students studying in the Atlanta area. Oh my, talk about rocking my world. What a wide open mission field and these students are pretty much untouched with the exception of the few international student ministries on large campuses.
So, my Tuesday morning Bible study group is reaching out to the international students at a small local college. I see such potential and opportunity to make an impact for Christ all over the world by loving on these students.
Bless you, my friend.
I read that God got your attention…great to visit prisons, it is needed.
I went to a prison to help with Christmas stuff and ran into a former homeless guy (knew that was God)
I love both of your stories. It's amazing how God shows up when we get out there to be about His business. Thanks for the encouraging words!
I love your faithfulness here despite your fear. But what you were really afraid of was your own inadequacy. You seem to have been ministered to in terms of your self confidence, as well. Lovely story.
Ooh, this is the focus I want to concentrate on this year–being more receptive to opportunities that might be out of my normal comfort zone. I just can't predict what they will be though! I'm such a planner, but I can't plan everything a year will hold. I have to have more trust in God.
This is such an inspirational story for me. I appreciate you sharing!
:) Don't you just love how He uses His Word to get straight to the point with our hearts!!!! SO thankful for His loving correction and redirection.
My word for this year is "intentional". I would be fooling myself if I didn't know that is going to mean, as you put it, unselfishly becoming the hands and feet of Christ to serve the least of these. So thankful He uses us…even if it does take a little prodding sometimes. :)
Blessings,
K
Oh, Alene! But you are in Texas and I am not, what if it had been my brother? What if he wanted me to visit him when he was in prison? I didn't even know until he was home and could contact me from the library. He isn't allowed to call me from the halfway house.. he is an alcoholic, he didn't choose that. He makes his choices and he has to suffer the consequences of things like jail time but I would visit him if I could. Bless you for visiting this woman whoever she is!
Amy
What a wonderful testimony of obedience to Christ. I am sure you were an amazing blessing.