Go to Jail: This Ain't No Monopoly Game

^{Matthew 25:31-46
37} “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
 
   ⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

I've felt a twinge of dissatisfaction lately.  Don't get me wrong, I love my life right now and the stage I am in as a wife and a mom- and I am enjoying every moment.  But deep inside of me there has been an aching for something more.  A desire to take my life a step further and align myself with the things that God is for. 


In the past my husband and I have spent time on a weekly basis serving in the inner city, going door to door with the Dream Center and investing in lives of the poor and needy.  But, things change when a baby comes around.  I don't believe that I grasped that concept until I was finally face to face with the gigantic responsibility of being a parent.  The things that were practical as a couple, are now complicated in light of a family.

And though some may say that being a parent and doing God's work do not coincide, I disagree.  There must always be a longing in our hearts for the things God longs for.  Ministry must always be a part of our lives, though it may take different forms with each season of life.  Though it may not be practical to walk the inner city week after week with the demands of a little baby, that doesn't mean that the disciplines of service and mercy must come to an end.  But how?

This question was reinforced last night as my husband and I watched a documentary by my favorite comedian, Michael Jr.    In this film, Comedy: The Road Less Traveled, Michael  decides to take the talent God has given him- his humor- to some of the most broken people in America, attempting to bring a smile to some of the saddest faces.

The movie is touching, but more importantly it is a call to action.  Michael challenges each and every one of us to take a look at our lives and the talents we have been given, and ask ourselves how we can practically make a difference in the lives of others. 

For me, this film was confirmation of something I have been feeling for a while now- it's time to do something more.  

I've tossed around a few ideas in my heart the past few weeks, but there is one thing I keep coming back to: prison.  There is something about the pain and isolation of these hurting men and women who have made life-changing decisions that just breaks my heart.  And the reality is, they are so easily forgotten in our "out of sight out of mind" society.  I'm planning on taking at least one day out of the month and finding a way to encourage and visit these people, hear their stories, love on them, and allow our lives to touch.  I'm excited to see how God uses me in this way, and I'll be sure to keep you posted on my journey. 

Some of you may have your opinions about this type of ministry or these kind of people, but I don't care to know them, because that's not the point of this post.  The point of this post is to challenge each and everyone of you to take a look at your lives and ask yourself what you are doing to follow the heart of God?  Because at the end of the day what makes you a friend of God is not the fact that you attended church every Sunday or owned six bibles.  It's your heart...and whether or not it is aligned with His.

Because at the end of the day, whatever you do (or don't do) for the least of them...you do it as though it were for Him.   That's nothing to be taken lightly.