This day started off just like any other day on the World Race. I awoke to sweat dripping down my brow with only a fan to give me the occasional burst of air as it swings my way while I lay on my sleeping pad spread out on the floor. I ate my usual breakfast of dried cornflakes in box milk I took from shelf, complete with fresh watermelon from the local market. I then put on my new Thai attire which consisted of Thai pants, and a plain tee-shirt. I was “dressed to impress” and ready to embark on my day of ministry that lay ahead.
Originally, I was told we would be visiting the men’s prison. One of my teammates had been preparing to preach for a week leading up to this day, so I was prepared to be his support system, praying for hearts to be opened and changed that day in the prison by the words he spoke…little did I know God had a completely different agenda for that day.
As I approach the doors leading up to the prison I see blood all over the ground and that’s when it hit me…I am in an actual prison, in Thailand, with people who have probably never even heard of Jesus Christ in their entire lives. Immediately that thought took hold in my heart and I began to pray for each and every prisoner.
As I was praying, I knew God was preparing me to be the one who would preach that day. I began to argue back and forth with God in my head. I told Him there is NO WAY I would preach because He knew preaching was the one thing I said I would NEVER do on the race. Not only was I not prepared at all, but my teammate had been preparing for a week to give his message. I came to an agreement with God and told Him I would preach only if it was to a group of women. As these thoughts are lingering in my head…one of the leaders in the prison informs us the paperwork never made it to the men’s prison leader so we would not be able to visit them today, BUT he followed with these words, “The women’s prison is open if your team would like to visit with them today instead. We will still need someone to preach.” As he spoke those words I KNEW without a doubt, God had perfectly arranged the situation, so with little hesitation I raised my hand and offered to preach. I had NOTHING PREPARED…notta, zippo. I hadn’t slept in three days (not exaggerating) because my mind had been racing with so many thoughts of my personal life & God had completely closed doors I was desperately still trying to hold onto. I was at the end of myself, yet God had me exactly where He needed me to be that day. For when I am weak, He is strong & strong He was.
Before I knew it, I found myself face to face with a group of women prisoners. I began by calling on the Holy Spirit to come and fill the room, to open the hearts of each person so they would not just hear the words of an American foreigner, but so they would listen to the words that God was speaking through me & truly let them resonate in their hearts and mind.
Standing in the front of the room & looking compassionately into the eyes of people whom the world views as “low life’s” or “huge sinners beyond repair” I knew God wanted me to speak about His amazing gift of grace and accepting Jesus into their hearts. I gave them an overview of the gospel by asking them to close their eyes and imagine the worst thing they have done in their lives. For some of them it could have been murder or stealing & others adultery or drug dealing…I told them to think of that moment and how they felt after getting caught in the act. Then picture a man out in the distance…glowing, radiant, with His arms stretched out dragging a cross, carrying a gift, & running toward them at full speed. The mans name is Jesus. When He finally gets close enough to you, He puts your hands into His, embraces you, then gives you a gift with the word GRACE written on it. As I began to unfold the premise of the gospel and how Jesus literally took on flesh, became human, then died FOR US, suffered FOR US, took nails in his hands and feet FOR US & took the pain for the very sin they have been locked behind bars for…I saw tears beginning to stream down their faces. Their hands went from being placed by their sides, to folded in front of them in a prayerful manner, they began to respond with “Amens” and “Thank you Jesus’s” in their native languages. Chills started from the tip of my toes to the top of my head and for the first time in my life I felt the power of the Holy Spirit rising from within me. My words were not my own, but that of My Fathers. My heart began to break for what breaks His & the women in the prison began to feel a glimpse of Gods grace that day.
All the glory is credited to my All-In-All. He gave me the strength and courage to preach His story to people who so desperately needed to hear they are FORGIVEN & God sees them as pure and new in His eyes; washed white as snow. They no longer have to live with regret or shame for what they have done, but they can begin to live for Christ, the one who took it all away and redeemed their lives, when they thought all hope was lost.
Jesus Christ brought several woman to Him that day & used me as a vessel to show them His greatness & love! Just like the prisoners I met in Thailand, we are all sinners, all longing for redemption in certain situations and Jesus is running towards us with open arms and full of grace! Whether we are behind tangible bars in a prison viewable to the naked eye, or locked up with invisible chains in bondage from past sins & hurts that we desperately try to cover up on our own…the answer to freedom remains the same: accepting Jesus into our life as Our Savior, letting His love & grace overwhelm our souls…then LIVING IT OUT in a way that gives Christ ALL the glory & fame!
What sin is God asking you to leave at the feet of His cross today? What is binding you down & preventing you from experiencing His free gift of grace?
I pray that God will show you the areas of your life He wants to help you work out so you can walk in a greater freedom and fullness today & every day!!!
