45 years

Whether you are not yet 45 years of age or are a bit past it, we can all agree that 45 years is a big chunk of our lives.

Our church has a presence in the state correctional facilities. The inmates participate in services and have access to prayer request cards. Once they are submitted, a group of people write letters to them and pray over their requests. I serve on this team.

Some requests are straightforward – they need healing, want out, guidance, help for family members.

Others take a different route. I received one of these recently.

His first line stated that he had been where he was for 45 years.

Imagine – 45 years confined to a prison where freedoms are severely limited.

You have the exact same routine day after day after 16,425 days.

I looked up the gentleman. His sentence was life without parole. I believe his appeals were exhausted. This is where he will be for the rest of his life.

Let that sink in for a moment. Can you feel the weight? I can imagine it’s hard to be joyful or to look at anything in a positive light.

His second line of his request showed his response to the situation.

“I am not a mistake.”

Whew! What confidence in his Creator! He knew that his life mattered and that he had a purpose where he was.

He was excited about mentoring someone who hadn’t been in for as long – and to point them to Christ. He is on a mission!

I’ve thought about my own life and read through some things I have written over the years. I noticed some places where I have been in bondage – not a physical jail but, still in bondage because I held on to something that wasn’t mine to hold.

Fear of the future.

Labels I placed on myself or that were unwanted gifts from others.

Placing my confidence in myself or others well above God, whom I say I love more than others.

These (and others) limit me in areas of my attitude, my confidence and my dreams.

This man has found freedom in his physical prison. I can find freedom from my self imposed one. (And so can you!)

The only one who can define me is my Creator. He calls me His masterpiece. He had a purpose for me before I was created (Ephesians 2:10.) I am never alone. He goes before me, behind me and is all around me (Isaiah 41:10.) I am a daughter of The King (1 John 3:1!) His plan for me is to give me a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11.) I don’t have a spirit of fear but one of power, love and self control (2 Timothy 1:7.)

His plan for this gentleman (and for you) is the same. Reconnect with the One who cannot love you any more than He does right now.

Isaiah 61:1-2 (ESV)

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
    he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
    and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
    and the day of vengeance of our God;
    to comfort all who mourn….