Yesterday, I paid a visit to two men in prison. Both are men who accepted Christ while in the early stages of their confinement. They have matured in faith and are grateful for the personal contact. They are also "safe" for me to visit and talk to. They do not expect me to deliver a great theological message to them or give them great nuggets of spiritual wisdom that will lead them toward God. They are "safe" because they are probably living better and more productive Christian lives than I am.
They simply want to know that I care about them, and that part is easy. I do care and make the effort to show them. They thank me profusely for taking my "valuable time" to drive over and spend a Saturday visiting. But I know, down deep, that I have a lot of time available to me and that it is more of a "convenient sacrifice" than a real one.
People say that I am doing what Jesus would do, and as He said that His disciples would do for Him, and I do think of that sometimes, but mostly I just want to encourage two men that are trying to live Christian lives in a distinctly non-Christian environment.
It will not be "safe" this weekend when I go into the prison again and meet with 42 men that do not know me and that I do not know. They might expect me to actually live the life that I am telling them is the Way. I am looking forward to going, but I will need all the help God can give me. At least I realize that I cannot do it on my own.
My prayer is simple, Help!
No comments:
Post a Comment