August 8 2017 – Click here to listen
Yesterday I was all set to fly to Washington D.C. for an important meeting today with some top leaders of several nationally recognized anti-sex trafficking organizations and then on to Virginia Beach for meetings beginning on Wednesday with some very powerful Christian leaders who are trying to combat anti-faith forces and change the world for Jesus. Both are vitally important meetings that have been planned for weeks.
Right on schedule I began receiving travel alerts from Delta related to severe weather in D.C. They told me I could rebook my flight without paying a penalty due to the storms.
OMG what do I do? I simply CANNOT miss these meetings. Too much planning – too much invested. I looked at the weather and heavy rain and flash flooding were in the forecast until late into the night. I was scheduled to arrive in the afternoon; so were the thunderstorms.
Okay what now?
Hmmm . . . I went to the Lord in prayer and asked Him to clear the skies. I then packed my bag and headed to the airport, fully confident that I would arrive at my destination unscathed. I arrived in D.C. on time without incident yesterday evening and the storms had subsided. The Lord willing, I will attend my first meeting at 10 a.m. this morning as will the others who flew in.
This trip is typical, in that I’ve undergone satanic attack on almost every occasion that I planned anything of significance for the Lord. Prison ministry is a prime example. We make all our careful plans and then arrive and it seems every obstacle that can surface does. I’ve seen people go ballistic over it; they rant and rave and run around like their hair is on fire screaming OMG. None of it does any good. The best thing to do is to just calm down and deal with it.
I went to a prison ministry event last weekend and the same thing happened. The state of Florida has imposed ridiculous new regulations whereby we must conduct our events in a chapel or similar facility without the benefit of being allowed on the yard and bringing in performers who can attract the tough non-Christian inmates who would never set foot in a chapel in order to hear that hope in Jesus is real.
As we predicted to Tallahassee the turnout was dismal. The first morning we had approximately 40 of our volunteers and just 14 inmates showed up. If we had been allowed on the yard, hundreds would have attended.
It was disheartening. Our volunteers were angry, many had come from out of state, and spent their own money to get there, only to be denied access to those who desperately need to hear that there is a God who loves them despite their mistakes. The anger served no purpose. The powers that be in Tallahassee Florida had spoken. If we go into a state prison we must abide by their rules, no matter how ill-conceived and nonsensical.
We went to the women’s prison the next day and the captain there told us that he appreciated our being there because the inmates always reacted favorably which makes their jobs easier. They allowed us to advertise that we would be there and we had a much better turnout and there were many decisions made for the Lord.
Okay so what is my point this morning? I suppose what I’m trying to say is that we should work hard to change the things we can, but not worry about the things we cannot. I can’t control the weather and I can’t control those in power who seem determined to keep Christ out of the prison system. I can only deal with the cards I’m dealt. I will win some battles and I will lose some battles.
When I and others spoke to the 14 inmates at the event we gave it every bit as much effort as other opportunities where 1500 attend. God blessed it and the few men that were there were mightily blessed and told us so. There will be another day to continue trying to win over the bureaucrats to help them understand that violence and higher recidivism rates can be reduced by allowing violent men and women an opportunity to hear about the Lord and His love for them. Until that changes I’ll just go along and try to get along.
Our job is not to determine outcomes. That is God’s job. We need to do our part and leave the rest to the Lord. Sometimes we win a battle and sometimes we lose one, but the war will be won. I used to have a boxing coach that told me to “Roll with the punch.” He told me if I just stood there and took a direct punch I would get knocked out, but if I moved and allowed the punch to roll off the side of my head or stomach I could survive. I think that is how this world is. We need to roll with the punch and trust in God. Just do your part in fighting the battle today and let God provide the strength to win the war.
Phil. 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me . . .