You have surely seen those prison movies where the visitor would walk through the prison yard to the prison building, safely kept between walls of galvanized squares, rolls of razor wire on top. And usually, it's just a very narrow walkway, while the permanent residents seemingly have free reign of their vast space.
When our Rev. Chris preached about the narrow and the broad way in Matthew 7 today, this picture came to me for the first time ever.
For us it may feel restrictive - this limited room for movement.
And when we walk there for the first time, it may feel like we are the ones in prison.
Our "freedom" is curbed for the moment, but only until we realize - this is precisely what is keeping us safe.
Because when you open your grown-up eyes, you quickly see that the vastness of the yard beyond that narrow passage, is only a mirage of freedom. Behind yards of open space there is finally another fence, a double fence, with a wall and cameras and sometimes even armed guards.
And life within that illusion of freedom is anything but safe.
I follow @godbehindbars on Instagram. Their job is to take Jesus to those who now live on the other side of the narrow way. Every time I see how a big, intimidating human being (man or woman) with aggressive tattoos and gang scars talk about the work Jesus has done in their lives, I want to cry over of the goodness of our God.
Because even though they are now on that side of the narrow passage, they are free.
And in a way, they are now safe.
Because even if they lost their lives there, heaven would be waiting for them.
Let's face it: How many times have you and I been in our own man-made prison? Bearing those things that hold you captive, that no one may know about.
(I initially started with a list here, but I don't have to. You know what I'm referring to.)
It may bring momentary freedom, but it is anything but safe there.
This week I read about Paul who was in prison again, this time in Jerusalem. However, what struck me about this round is how Governor Felix had Paul brought to him regularly for two years, how he and even his wife too had ongoing conversations with Paul, how they would hear first-hand about Jesus and what He asks of a Christian life.
Then, after two years, the governor leaves Paul in prison, in the hands of his successor.
And he decides to remain a prisoner instead.
See, between the two of them, it was Paul who knew what it was to be free.
The next time I look at people around me whose lives seem impeded by what Jesus is asking of them, I might have to think carefully about which side of the narrow aisle I am on.
“Two years later Porcius Festus became governor in place of Felix.
But since Felix wanted to do the Jewish leaders a favour,
he kept Paul in jail.”
Acts 24:27 CEV
Your inspiration for the week: Changed
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