Why Bother?

I've been asked why I "bother" with prison ministry. The assumption is that the incarcerated aren't worth the effort. They are bad news, are there because the deserve to be and sane people would stay away from them staying out of harm's way. I'm sure there may be some that did not commit the crimes for which they have been sentenced, but for the most part they are there because they deserve to be, however, if we all were to receive what we deserve there would be no reason for a Savior. Those that find themselves behind the lethal fence have made mistakes, but God loves them the same as you and me.

Let's imagine for a moment that someone showed up at your door and told you that you had 2 minutes to decide which of your 2 children were to be put to death at the end of those 2 minutes. There was no getting around this situation, one of your children is going to be put to death. One of your children is the "perfect child", straight "A's" in school, polite, respectful, etc. The other has had a checkered past, is an alcoholic, has a past conviction and continues to be on a path of destruction. They are both YOUR children.... which do you choose? Which do you love less?

Is there anything your child could do to make you LOVE them more?

Is there anything they could do to make you LOVE them less?

God sees all of His children in this way. All are the same, all are loved and all are in need of a Savior.

Prisons are every bit as much of a mission field as anywhere else in the world. They are among the darkest of places on the planet. Some refer to them as "Satan's playground". I have heard Earth referred to the same way. I can't think of a mission field that is more in need of the gospel message and conveyance of God's agape love.

Why do I bother? Because God bothered with me..... and YOU!

Kairos #6 Open Mike