The walls of a prison are daunting to say the least. As I stood staring at these walls I was paralysed with fear. Thats right fear. I was afraid of so many things and to be completely honest, I was filled with doubt. I genuinely doubted that there would be any hope inside the prison. I had such a skewed, preconceived mindset of what to expect, that all I pictured was a dark, grim place where evil resided. A place completely lacking hope and the presence of God. Boy was I wrong.
This week we have had the privilege of serving in the Ratchaburi/Khobin Central Prison. My team and I sat in a room with over 100 men who had been living behind these daunting walls for a very, very long time. So many emotions where running through me at this point. I was feeling extremely nervous and uncomfortable. But at the same time I was so excited and happy to get to share God’s love to these men. I sat in my chair scanning the room, praying that I wouldn’t make eye contact with anyone. As my eyes waded through the crowd, I began to see so many smiles and people who were so filled with joy that is not of this world. I began to pray to God, that He would allow me to see these men through His eyes. Everything changed. Suddenly, I wasn’t in a room filled with men who had committed horrible crimes or made mistakes, but I was in a room with genuine brothers in Christ who shared the same joy and had a relationship with the same God as I do.
After worshipping with these new brothers of mine, my teammate Parker, got up and delivered the most incredible message. He spoke about how God wanted to take all the things they knew about God in their minds(his grace, his love, his patience, etc) and put them in their hearts. This resignated with everyone in the room. I think far too often we know in our minds that God is full of indescribable love, and grace, but we don’t always let it be on our hearts. Another thing that God revealed to these men was that He doesn’t define us by our past, but He defines us by what Jesus did for us on the Cross. This statement alone has radically transformed my life. knowing that we are defined by something that God has already done for us is liberating. The thing we must do is choose to accept what Jesus did for us two thousand years ago on a wooden cross. Worth is defined by how much someone is willing to pay for something. God decided that we were worth the life of his one and only son and Jesus is living proof of that.
Seeing these men and getting to hang out with them, God showed me once again that He is a God of second chances. He is just waiting for us to run back to Him when we stumble and fall. He will always open his arms up wide when he see’s His children running back towards Him. He will break down any wall that may seem insurmountable to overcome. The men in Ratchaburi/Khobin central prison are living proof. These men who had been trapped behind inescapable, towering walls, found freedom in Christ Jesus. And you can too. The same God that delivered these people is the same God we know of back home. He is waiting at your doorstep and wants so desperately for you to let Him in. He want’s to give you ultimate freedom. Freedom that can only come by knowing that you are a son and daughter of Christ.
Galitians 5:1”It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand Firm them and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery”
Galatians 5:13”You my brothers and sisters where called to be free”
I cannot express the level of gratitude I have for you, not just for reading this blog, but for supporting me in prayer, financially, and with all your encouraging messages. I thank God Everyday that he has blessed me with people like you and I hope that I can make it possible for you to grasp at least a little a bit of this wild, crazy adventure I am on. Thank you so much for reading and God Bless. Also, if you have any questions about any of this stuff or want to talk and hear more, please don’t hesitate to email me or Facebook me!
