Into the Fire

Life's journeys present all kinds of surprises. Not all of them are good. For some, the consequences of their actions produce life-altering circumstances with little hope for a positive outcome. Justice can come with a high price tag.

Our pastor has a full time job besides ministering in the church. He and the specific location of his job shall remain nameless for his and others' protection. Suffice it to say a juvenile prison presents some potentially hopeless inmates who can sometimes be a danger to others and themselves. 

Surprisingly – or not – many of these juveniles devour books. So why not supply those hungry readers with some Christian fiction?

A short time ago we heard a story of one young man who will likely never experience life beyond the bars of a jail. There were no role models in his life unless you count the vicious kind. He knew his fate was sealed. What he didn't realize or understand was that God also had a plan for his life, and the Holy Spirit intended to make an impact with Jesus. For a particular reason and the Holy Spirit's prompting, I felt compelled to buy him a copy of The Masterpiece (Francine Rivers). The pastor thinks he'll be finished with it by the end of the week, totally involved in the novel. 

I had previously sent along a case of my first novel (Hope of Glory) for any who wanted to tackle that saga of over 700 pages. It's a preachy comprehensive story of horse racing at a middle echelon racetrack with all kinds of characters, most entrenched in sin, and a large dose of the Gospel.

After reading Race, our pastor offered it to one reader who initially refused because "the bad guy never wins". Swallowing a laugh, the pastor told him to try it anyway because it was written by a friend of his. When this reader finished the novel, he told the pastor he liked it but with specific instructions for him not to tell anyone that he did.

God never stops reaching out to His creation. Jesus loves us all and is able to forgive the worst of us. We're all desperate for the Lord. Some will take their refusal to engage Him to the grave and suffer the consequences of their decisions. Others will learn that in spite of the horrible things they've done, they can experience real repentance and truly be forgiven. It's a miracle for sure – one none of us deserve.

If any of you are moved to pray for our pastor and those who've made some sad and ugly decisions in their young lives, please do. And if you're an author, perhaps you can find an appropriate location to share your novels with those who have become "the least" of us.

Father, you bless me beyond words. I'm more thankful than I will ever be able to express for things way too numerous to name or recall – and for those things I don't yet know about. Thank you is never enough. Please watch over those young imprisoned men. Reach them, Lord. They're desperate for you. Just like me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.