Four months ago the Lord burned the word freedom in my heart. I have it. I love it. I want everyone to know what it feels like. This quest to release freedom to the nations begins by taking the love of Christ to those who have been in darkness for so long; they are desperate for light and life.
We met Miguel at a drug rehabilitation center in Palenque. Most of the men in the center have been dropped off by the police and are now participants in a discipleship/ detox program. These men are what the world would label the ‘worst of sinners.’ They’ve sold themselves to drugs and alcohol. They’ve abandoned their families, robbed, cheated and earned their titles as outcasts. They are despised by the world. BUT to the Lord they are trophies of inexplicable grace. He sought each one. He waited until his timing was perfect. Now he calls them to their inheritance as his sons. At the center, they are trained in the word. Psalms and Proverbs are repeated multiple times daily- sowing the Word of God in their minds and hearts.
Miguel’s struggle with sin isn’t much different than any of the other men at the center. But how the world responded to Miguel will forever haunt him. Growing up in a small rural community in Mexico, Miguel was a feared man. He tormented his neighbors with his drug and alcohol abuse. He destroyed property and stole from any and everyone. At the threat of the community to excommunicate his family, they locked Miguel into a 6×6 wooden box and cut off all connections with him. For three years Miguel lived in darkness. Being fed through a small hole in the wall and sleeping in his own waste, Miguel’s future was nothingness.
Louis from the rehab center heard about Miguel and pursued him. After speaking with the family, it was agreed that Miguel would be released into the care of the center. A little over a year later, the testimony of love reads clearly on Miguel’s face. His mind is forever flawed, but his heart knows peace, love, and repentance. As Louis shared Miguel’s story with us, the expression of Miguel’s face changed. He recognized the depravity of his own heart. Hearing his past spoken of in front of a group, Miguel felt shame. The Lord broke our hearts for this young man and we began to pray favor, blessing, and the love of Christ over him. A laugh and smile grew on his face as we assured him of his acceptance in our lives and before his heavenly father. Miguel has seen the face of Jesus. He knows the power of love.
I walk away forever changed. I’ve never been forced into a physical box, but I have lived in darkness. Miguel’s story so clearly depicts every man’s condition apart from Christ. We are bound- chained to our sin. In our own strength we are completely unable to break free, but Jesus… Jesus had mercy on me. He rescued me. Now I live only for him. May I be counted worthy to find the lost, broken, and hurting and shine onto them the light and love of Christ. May the sound of freedom continue to resonate in our hearts as we shine forth into the darkness.
FREEDOM!
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LOVE!
