Earlier this morning I had a handful of chores to do...
...such as cleaning my prison cell and washing a pile of shirts. Like many inmates, I have to wash most of my clothes by hand in a small bucket, wring out each item, and then find a way to dry each piece, all inside of my little cell.
At 10 AM, I went to the recreation yard to get some fresh air. While I was in the yard I teamed up with two other inmates to do some ice breaking. The guards who are stationed in the yard have a small utility room with snow shovels and icebreakers. We got what we needed.
It felt good to be working and scraping up the ice while my friend, Billy, shoveled away the ice I broke up. Then the other man, James, and I took turns throwing down fresh rock salt. After more than an hour of doing this, I returned to my cell at 11:45 feeling invigorated and refreshed. It was about fifteen degrees outside!
Later after lunch I read Colossians Chapter 4. Verse 17 really impressed something in my spirit: "And say to Archippus, take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it."
I could just as well put my name in Archippus' place as an admonishment and exhortation from the Lord for me to fulfil all that He has called me to do, to stay faithful to my ministry, and to make sure I do not slack off. Instead, I am to complete it.
The apostle Paul was encouraging this disciple to get back on track and stay there. We Christians likewise need to fulfil our God-given ministries and not neglect them. It felt as if Paul were saying the same thing to me today.
D.B.
At 10 AM, I went to the recreation yard to get some fresh air. While I was in the yard I teamed up with two other inmates to do some ice breaking. The guards who are stationed in the yard have a small utility room with snow shovels and icebreakers. We got what we needed.
It felt good to be working and scraping up the ice while my friend, Billy, shoveled away the ice I broke up. Then the other man, James, and I took turns throwing down fresh rock salt. After more than an hour of doing this, I returned to my cell at 11:45 feeling invigorated and refreshed. It was about fifteen degrees outside!
Later after lunch I read Colossians Chapter 4. Verse 17 really impressed something in my spirit: "And say to Archippus, take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it."
I could just as well put my name in Archippus' place as an admonishment and exhortation from the Lord for me to fulfil all that He has called me to do, to stay faithful to my ministry, and to make sure I do not slack off. Instead, I am to complete it.
The apostle Paul was encouraging this disciple to get back on track and stay there. We Christians likewise need to fulfil our God-given ministries and not neglect them. It felt as if Paul were saying the same thing to me today.
D.B.