Scripture
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
~Luke 4:18, NRSV
Quote
Show me someone who had done something worthwhile and I will show you someone who has overcome adversity.
~Coach Lou
Have you ever been in prison? You’re probably thinking about a building or enclosed area in which people are legally held as a punishment for a crime they have committed, and we do have those kinds of prisons but there are others. Have you ever been in a situation you could not get out of? The prodigals Father is a good example. Grief, sorrow, hardship and difficulty has a way of becoming chains that bind us. Several outstanding bible characters found themselves in prison: Joseph, Jeremiah, John The Baptist and Paul to mention a few. So what do we do when we find ourselves restrained by unpleasant circumstances? What do we do in prison? Do we moan, feel sorry for ourselves, complain about injustice, become bitter or even passive?
Prison is a place to reflect, to learn, and to wait. A huge part of the Christian life is learning the discipline of patient waiting. We don’t have a choice about the waiting, but we must learn the discipline of patient waiting like the Prodigal’s Father. God allowed Joseph to be incarcerated unjustly and He left him there until He knew that Joseph was ready to lead. Obviously, Joseph did not choose to be in prison; he did not want to live under confining and restrictive circumstances but he did make the best of it. He did not give in to bitterness and despair but maintains his integrity and his faith in Yahweh. The circumstances you are caught in may not be pleasant but they will be instructive if you will only let them.
Pretty cold at 1120 Iron Man. Just about the time I get use to the mild weather, an arctic blast comes rolling in. It would be a good day to stay in and study but I have a messy project that has to be done.
We had a good day yesterday. Spent most of the day visiting. We got to see an old friend from Cherokee, Alabama. We ran by to see Sam and Brenda Wallace who have retired in Muscle Shoals. Sam is 81 and just had a pace maker put in. He is confined to home right now but will be driving in a week. Same is now serving the Grassy Baptist Church is Lexington, Alabama.
Yesterday was Ray Edward’s 85th birthday. Our intentions were to see him yesterday but we ran out of time. You have to go see Ray early in the day. He goes to bed around 2-3 in the evening and he goes to sleep. Ray has never had a headache or indigestion. He has never had any problem sleeping and he can sleep fat of his back–that has to be a blessing. I toss and turn like a fish out of water.