I keep picturing their faces.
They sat on a mattress, fully focused, listening intently.
I’ve told you countless times that we have a small team of ladies (a small army, really) who go to the jail every Sunday morning at 6:45. We take it very seriously, cherishing every opportunity.
This day, I was subbing for the teacher who couldn’t be there. That whole “be ready in season and out” is a real thing.
In Sunday School, we have been digging into the book of Joshua. Rahab, one of my very favorite stories, was fresh on my mind. I rushed to the church on the way to print out Bible verses.
Most of the women – young and old – were arrested for something related to drugs. Either they have sold drugs or done something under the influence of drugs. They are captive for short periods, some for long.
For the past few weeks, because of conflict between the cells, the girls have been divided into two groups. We have 30 mins with each.
Every week, we talk about the change God can bring. We know it for truth. Each one of our jail ministry team has been through hard things – situations where God worked, where He rescued. It’s what drives us. We have been delivered by Him, and we want others to know Him and His unconditional love.
It is not uncommon for the ending conversation to come around to what the girls need to leave: family, friends, relationships, and often the whole area where they live to make a new start.
It’s easy for women who are not incarcerated, who sleep in their own beds, who eat what they want when they want, who don’t wear tan or orange, who go about as they like, who don’t have a jailer or warden, to talk about change.
For inmates who are there on drug-related charges to make a life change, they often must give up everything.
Enter Rahab. Rahab never planned to be in her situation. In middle school, she didn’t say, “Oh, one day, when I’m grown up, I hope I get to be a prostitute for a living.” Not once.
The girls in the jail never planned to be there.
Rahab made an incredible choice. She had heard all that God had done for the Israelites. Now, she was going to put her faith in Him. If she stayed where she was, she would die. Oh, how her story applied to our jail friends!
Change can be hard, but change can also be the right thing.
Is there something in your life that is holding you hostage? Do you feel imprisoned even though you are not living at the local jail?
God can still work miracles. Don’t you think for a second that He can’t!
Rahab took a giant step of faith. She lost the past yet gained a future. It didn’t mean it would be easy. She had to learn a new way of life…new people, a new way of doing things. But God had a plan for her. The God Who delivered her would be with her and help her one day at a time.
There are times to be still (Psalm 46:10), to stand firm (2 Chronicles 20:17). Other times, God calls us to get out of Jericho.
Thank you, Rahab, for your heroic example of courage!
___
Dawn Reed is a pastor's wife, newspaper columnist, and the author of Weiner Stew: Inspiring Stories from Appalachia. Reach her at preacherswife7@yahoo.com.
Share with others
