Help! Love, MOM

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
    he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
    and the opening of the prison to those who are bound

Isaiah 61:1 English Standard Version

One of the criticisms leveled at Christians, the Church, and Christianity, more generally, is that we are “so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good.” The thought here is that Christians are so focused on the after life (heaven) that we are not accomplishing the good that we can while here on the earth.

This is pure ignorance as Christians have been instrumental in moving some major societal mountains in America.

A societal ill, perhaps, uniquely within the Christian purview is prison ministry.

Christians are called to care for prisoners. Jesus emphasized compassion, mercy, and justice for all people, especially those who are marginalized or suffering.

In Matthew 25:36, Jesus, while teaching His disciples about ministering to practical needs says, “I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

This, I believe, the Lord indicates, in part, to highlight the importance of showing God’s love and kindness along with a sympathetic human presence to the incarcerated.

Caring for prisoners reflects the Christian belief in redemption and the inherent dignity of every individual, regardless of their past mistakes.

Christians can engage in this care by offering the imprisoned:

• spiritual support,
• kindness and empathy,
• a sense of hope and the possibility of transformation by demonstrating the love and forgiveness that Christ extends to all.

Christians, as they participate in prison ministry programs, may also advocate for humane treatment and prompt release. Additionally, by caring for prisoners, Christians can challenge unjust systems, promote reconciliation, and foster healing in society.

Tragically, I heard of a heartbreaking news story in which a Connecticut young man was made a prisoner, by his step-mother for many years.

He was literally locked away since he was about 12 years old. Now in his 30s, and looking for release from his suffering, he set a fire in his room in the hope that a blaze would bring deliverance from his “cell.”

A desperate hope, the room was very small and he may have succumbed to smoke inhalation or burns before help arrived.

Thankfully his gamble paid off and the fire department rescued him from the fire and his step-mother’s cruelty.

A number of years ago now there was a group of young women being held against their will in Cleveland, Ohio. One of them, Amanda Berry, escaped and law enforcement was able to free them all including the child that one of them bore for their captor while in imprisoned.

And, remember Elizabeth Smart? She was kidnapped at knife point from her home in Utah and held captive, raped, starved and beaten for 9 months.

Do you remember the 276 Nigerian school girls? These students were, “kidnapped from their boarding school in Chibok, Borno state, Nigeria sparking global outrage. Although some of the girls escaped, or were released or rescued, 96 remain in captivity ,” according to Human Rights Watch.

The Connecticut young man. Amanda Berry and the other young ladies in Ohio. Elizabeth Smart in Utah and 276 school girls in Nigeria.

Imprisoned.

Sadly there are likely more children or other vulnerable persons imprisoned, isolated, starving, suffering in horrible conditions right now.

In light of Isaiah 61:1, what, if any, response should you or I offer, Christian?

The Prophet Isaiah writes about God’s Anointed One, who would bring good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom for the captives, and who would release the prisoners from darkness: spiritual and other kinds of darkness.

For children who are potentially abused by those who should care for them, this passage challenges believers to both stand up to injustice and to stand in as advocates and sources of hope.

Christians can respond by first ensuring that they are aware of the news around them and to actively listen to the voices of vulnerable children.

This means not only taking action when abuse is suspected but also fostering places of prevention.

Let’s cultivate environments of love, safety, and trust, where children are seen, heard and valued. Of course this means that our churches are safe places: Sunday School classes, Vacation Bible Schools, Summer Camps and the like, ideally, are spaces in which a child’s voice is respected and celebrated.

In addition, Christians can support organizations that protect children. We can volunteer in child advocacy programs, and we should work to raise awareness about the importance of safe, loving homes.

Additionally, a Christian response is fed by the belief that God loves to work for those who wait for Him. By engaging in acts of justice and mercy, believers are participating in God’s work to heal spiritual brokenness through the divine, transforming power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This work may include partnering with authorities, supporting families in crisis, and providing emotional and psychological healing through Christian love and support, thereby ensuring that the light of Christ shines into even the darkest corners of society.

I believe that Christians are called to act with compassion and urgency in situations where vulnerable persons, especially children, are trapped and suffering.

In Jesus’s Name, call the police.

Offer assistance. Be a listening ear. If you are fearful of intervening, tell someone else who can help you make good decisions about what to do next.

Hey Christian: be so heavenly minded that you do lots and lots of earthly good.

“Herein is my Father glorified that you bear much fruit” John 15:8.

xoxoKimberly

Some work around reuniting the missing

Missing children and teens rescued and reunited with their families