Good News - December 2018

LIFEPOINTS 10 DECEMBER 2018 Good News • South Florida Edition I recently had the privilege of sharing a week of teaching with a highly perse- cuted group of Christian church leaders in the Middle East. This “semi-covert-op” was eye-concerning at times, but deeply gratifying. There is nothing like the reality of potential persecution to refocus one’s perspective on our Christianity here in the West. No release One particular new pastor friend of mine shared his experience of im- prisonment with me. From the day this mild-mannered, quiet soul entered the prison, he had no idea how long his stay would be. From day to day he had no idea if he would be incarcerated for a year, for two years, or even for twenty years. A target date for his release was not his reality. Therefore, there was no need to count days or look forward to anything in any way. But to him, a release date didn’t matter much because those who im- prisoned him did not really place him there. Nor did they have much say- so as to when he could leave. Prior to his incarceration, he had asked the Lord to do anything necessary to transform his character as a man to re- flect the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. To my friend, the Lord placed him in that prison to develop a poverty of spirit, a sense of mourning over that which grieves the Holy Spirit, a deeply teachable meekness, a hunger and a thirst for righteousness, a mercy for those who guarded him, a purity of heart, a ministry of reconciliation among those who sought to destroy him, and a joy in his persecution. To my new friend, he was imprisoned by the Lord for the purpose of becoming more Christ-like because he had asked for such a Christ-like- ness. His arrest sheet said something different, but the truth is he was imprisoned to become “freer” as a believer. Sometimes if we want to grow in Christ we must go where he went, into a dungeon. Here is a man that while in prison longed less for deliverance and more for the Deliverer. He sought the fulfillment of the purpose of his im- prisonment because, in time, freedom would be the result of that purpose being fulfilled. Time heals no wounds; Jesus is the healer. Imprisoned for a cause Upon my return home, these men and women of faith left me ponder- ing a great deal about challenges in life. When in a “prison” of sorts, ask the Lord what His purpose is while you are restricted by sickness, lack, loss, depression or some other “wall.” His answer will likely be a greater dependence upon Him, a deeper intimacy, and a richer honesty between you and Him. Perhaps nearness to Him should be our primary prayer re- quest rather than the knowledge of our release date. Some prisons are so dark and solitary that only He can lead you out. Conversely, not all prisons in life are bad. Some actually should be sought after. Upon my return home I thought of Philemon 1: “Paul, a pris- oner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker.” In a way, the committed believer in the 21st century wants to be a prisoner of Christ. This does not mean that you long to be confined to some cell somewhere only to be forgotten. No, on the contrary, perhaps we should all long to be prisoners in Christ that are constrained to make known His gospel. Perhaps in His prison we depend upon him daily for nearness, nourishment and opportunity. Perhaps, in those tribu- lations that He allows, there is a greater purpose than our desire for a re- lease from the pain. Perhaps our development is predicated upon our willingness to consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds (James 1:2-4). Perhaps the difficulties that we have endured had within them a greater purpose that we somehow missed. Perhaps we can waste these challenges and never seize the deep liberation that would have come from seeking Him and His kingdom in the darkest and dampest seasons of our life. Perhaps, on another occasion, I will share with you the stories of the men and women that my new friend led to the Lord while in prison – men and women that he would likely have never met apart from his imprison- ment. Regardless of your situation, however painful or agonizing, it is quite true that His grace is sufficient. May you live today nearer to the freedom that only those who have been imprisoned can enjoy. Dr. Gary Hewins is the President of lifepoints.org, a coaching and consulting ministry to ministry leaders and preachers and the Senior Pastor of Community Bible Church in the picturesque mountains of Highlands, N.C. Are You In a Good Prison? - Dr. Gary Hewins - Lifepoints President