Not Guilty.
My eyes wondered in amazement, and my heart leaped with great joy, as I beheld to the layout of my article printed in the Reach Up magazine. I was honored and humbled both in the same instant. “How do you sit behind bars and watch your work, published and distributed in multiple languages”, I asked myself? The impact was global, and I knew God himself was blessing me. I reread the article with new eyes, and once again, I embraced the message of what God was doing in the lives of so many people behind bars.
Drawing to the close of the article, I noted an error regarding my status. The publication had stated I was in prison serving time? My first response was “no, I am not “! However, the error became minute. Actually, I was awaiting trial or dismissal, but lately those facts had become irrelevant. The truth, resounding, my earthly status, “arrested by the justice system”, yes, I was in a detention facility, awaiting trial. And according to the Lord of the Heavens, I was guilty without His saving grace.
We are all quick to jump to the defense of, “not guilty“ and while I can declare boldly that this is the situation regarding my earthly charges, I am silenced by my God. Before my Heavenly Father, I am nothing but sin, yet in His mercy, he reached down to design redemption FOR me. How dare I strut around or wave a banner of “innocence”?! How dare I esteem myself “better” than my fellow inmates? It is true, some had been charged with drug trafficking, battery, murder, DUI, or grand theft, and to try to measure them to the white color accusation labeled against me, only led me to conclude that my God is Lord of all, and he sees me no different, loves me no more than those that I dwell with.
For years I was plagued with the church minister status. We tend to create pedestals based on our years in church or how well we are educated?! We measure our ‘kingdom works’, and think we have attained Heavenly access because we attend church, pay our tithes or minister to others. However, my eyes and heart are now opened to who Christ died for; the lost, the brokenhearted, and those who are captive.
I now live in a den. What most may deem a cesspit?! In here are the lowest forms of life, according to society; the one’s who are considered “rejects”, criminal minds, and those crawling through life without any hope. I am convinced the instruction of Isaiah 61 is very relevant in my life. And since Jesus loves us all the same, the good news of Isaiah, 61:1-2 must be shared, continually with my sisters. In my God’s eyes, he looked down and found an area where I was guilty, and he has allowed this season in my life so that I can be transformed. Like my fellow sisters in the unit, we are all on this “Odyssey of Change”. So while the justice system lingers; the blood of Christ renders me not guilty and forgiven from all my sin. I see today as another opportunity to seek the souls of those who are guilty and give them the hope that is in Christ.
Isaiah 61:1-2 (“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn”).
A note from Jen’s desk; I went to great lengths to “barely edit“ this publication in order to publish it in the context, the writer originally intended. Therefore, please read it with an open heart and mind, and try to envision what she was saying to us. I appreciate her honesty. And I can see myself where I too, need to recognize that without Jesus, I stand guilty before God, with no defense. Thank you Jesus for all that You have done for us. May we share honestly, the hope that we have found in you with others, so that they too, will have hope in your Name. Make us transparent, bold and sincere. Make our feet beautiful. Amen.
