Oh you know, just another typical Thursday morning sitting across the table from what society labels convicts.
We had a group of them over for a spaghetti dinner a couple of weeks ago and insisted on having them back. Our three teams made them a farewell pancake breakfast and we were eager to hear more of their stories. Armed robberies, rapists, addicts, and attempted murders; to name a few.
These men are a part of a ministry that facilitates re-entry into society. A ministry where ex-felons and those who suffer from substance abuse find healing and hope.
The thing I struggle with the most is the fact that they will be condemned for the rest of their lives for their bad choices. But their sin is no different than the sin I deal with in my life. Mine just isn’t made public and in society isn’t categorized as “that bad”. All sin is sin – big or small – it doesn’t matter. We all sin, we all struggle. But its up to you to decide to turn to God, repent and ask for forgiveness or to continue to carry it around with you for the rest of your life. Once you ask God for forgiveness – your slate is wiped clean. Stop beating yourself up for things from your past that God has forgotten about long ago. Don’t let your past mistakes define you. Instead, learn from it and use your story to help & impact others.
The thing I loved most about spending time with them is the fact that they weren’t afraid to be themselves. They weren’t afraid to air their dirty laundry and deepest darkest secrets to a room full of strangers. With that – you can tell they had so much FREEDOM.
When is the last time I sat down with a stranger and revealed the most shameful parts of my heart? Shoot, when was the last time I sat down with someone I was close to and shared those things?
Honestly, Never.
The enemy tries to shut us up – to keep us silent. He likes to keep us in bondage of shame and guilt from the things we have done.
I took art classes when I was younger and the instructor told me once that she believed God made each hand as big as half of our face so that we could hide our face from God in shame when we messed up in life. I disagree. Shame is not of the Lord. I have a God that redeems and restores. A God of grace and second chances. A God of forgiveness and FREEDOM.
These men were open and vulnerable about what they’ve gone through and their journey to get where they are now – a brother in Christ. They all have some pretty screwed up pasts but were all giving glory to God for bringing them out of it and saving their lives.
I don’t think I have ever been in a room that was filled with so much joy. They were clapping and singing praise. Laughing and encouraging each other. Instead of using our hands to hide our faces in shame, we will use our hands to worship the one who set us free & use them to serve others so they might experience that freedom as well.
Remember that whether our sins are relatively small or great, they will place us in hell apart from God’s grace. The good news is that Jesus paid the penalty for our sins and the sins of the whole world at the Cross. If we will repent and turn to Jesus in faith, our sins will be forgiven, and we will receive the gift of eternal life.
Keep running the race, Freedom House. Don’t give up on God! You are only what HE says you are!
