One Released Prisoner to Another

Twice in the last six months, I got to watch someone get released from prison.

There were differences:

• One was a prison of steel and concrete, the other a prison of guilt and sin.  
• One was released by the decision of Elkhart County Judge Shoemaker, the other by the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. 
• One was released to house arrest, the other was given a full pardon. 

There were similarities:

• They both had been desiring this release for some time. 
• They both had a happy mother/grandmother to rejoice over their release.  
• They both were excited about doing better, about living differently. 
• They both left many friends behind in prison. 

An odd thing happens when you watch someone's release from prison. First, you don't care a bit about their past sins, you just want them to be free. Second, you want so badly for them to stay out of that prison forever. Third, you envision how life would be for them if they made all the right choices.

They don't, of course, always make all the right choices.

You remind yourself that God is the great Prison-breaker, and he will continue to seek.

But you realize that, for the privilege of getting to watch their release, you will now:
....grieve when they struggle
...think of ways to help them but remind yourself that God is their only true help
...wish you could just make everything right.
...try to find the balance between being there for them and putting pressure on them. 

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you... (Philippians)

And then the big thought: if we as humans (released prisoners ourselves) can care so much for other released prisoners, how much more must Jesus care about each one of us who he has released? How much must he hate it when we choose things that will take us back to prison! How much must he want to release our whole life, and not just pieces of our lives!

May the Bastilles crumble...