Prison Lectionary

“Right Place, Right People, Right Time”

by CM

Isaiah 5:1-7
Psalm 80:1-3, 8-19
Hebrews 11:29-12:2
Luke 12:49-56

There is a particular location where one’s gift fits perfectly. There are particular people among whom your genius will be most appreciated. And there is a particular time when the stage is ready for your grand entrance. It is one’s true purpose to create the point at which these elements converge for the glory of God in the uniqueness of your life.

Most of us have been taught to think of “sin” in terms of acts committed. However, the more accurate, and consequential truth of “sins” are the ones of omission. The sins of omission are the ones that stem from our failure to live out our purpose. And in this failure, we see the lamentable results that surround us in the world today, and the fact that such things were prevalent in the days of Ancient Israel too.

Humanity suffers when the person who is supposed to be located in a research laboratory, among people who need that person’s idea on how to cure Alzheimer’s disease at a time called now is instead located at a place it takes no thought or discipline to be, among undisciplined and thoughtless people, at a time called always. The world doesn’t suffer due to anyone’s particular mischief. It suffers due to the waste involved, the irresponsibility of it.

The good thing, however, is that anyone can start an entirely new life in an instant. Right now, one can become responsible for that which he or she has thus far been irresponsible, and get in line with the glory that God truly intended in the life that carries your name. This is the true meaning of repentance. It’s when we think of our lives in bigger terms that we can truly realize the impact of our neglectful ways, and discover through thinking in bigger terms, exactly what glory has been invested in us by God. To do less is to be left with lament.

Glory is the difference between a wretched existence and a noble one; just as surely as the same is the difference between a barren weed-filled patch of land and well-tended fruitful garden.

Get to your place, get among your people, and do it now.

God is with you.