Her name is Tracey.
She approached a fellow squad member, Ben, in the middle of the Joburg bus station. She needed money for a bus. Ben kindly responded that money he could not give, but prayer he certainly could.
Tracey, we came to know as a group of 5-6 of us gathered around her in prayers and conversation, has been carrying around a lot of guilt with her like a ball and chain. She feels to blame for her brother’s death a year and a half ago resulting from a drug overdose. “If I would’ve talked to him more, told him it was wrong, then he’d still be here,” she tells herself moment by moment, day after day. “If I would’ve done this, or said that…then this…” her accusations persist like a beating drum. She carries a copy of the New Testament in her worn backpack, one of her few belongings. She admits she doesn’t really understand Christianity because it feels as if God is punishing her for all the wrong she has done in her life, like not saving her brother. She is overwhelmed by guilt and shame.
We prayed over her several times with encouraging conversation sprinkled between. Someone brought up the story of Job which led me to the story of Jehoiachin, the exiled king of Judah (read his story here).
“Which will you choose, Tracey, the prison or the king’s table? Will you bear the burden of guilt or walk in the freedom of Christ?” I ask her. “Which will you choose? This is an everyday choice and commitment. Everyday you choose bondage or the seat of high honor.” Tears streamed down here face as she responded, “The king’s table, the seat of high honor. I choose Jesus.”
We prayed over her several times with encouraging conversation sprinkled between. Someone brought up the story of Job which led me to the story of Jehoiachin, the exiled king of Judah (read his story here).
“Which will you choose, Tracey, the prison or the king’s table? Will you bear the burden of guilt or walk in the freedom of Christ?” I ask her. “Which will you choose? This is an everyday choice and commitment. Everyday you choose bondage or the seat of high honor.” Tears streamed down here face as she responded, “The king’s table, the seat of high honor. I choose Jesus.”
She prayed to receive Christ right there in the station and her life changed forever.
“In my anguish I cried to the Lord.
He answered by setting me FREE.”
Psalm 118:5
He answered by setting me FREE.”
Psalm 118:5
