While I was incarcerated in the county jail, I met an inmate who I will call Joshua. Joshua looked like a muscle-bound Woody Harrelson. He was 35 years old and had spent half of his life in prison. It was also apparent that much of his time in prison had been spent in the weight room.
One day, Joshua told me how he used to mock the inmates in the Bible study. The Bible study had tried to tell him about their King, but he wasn’t about to bow down to anyone. However, one morning he woke up in his cell, tired of being angry and alone. That day, he got down on his knees, invited Jesus into his life, and was saved.
As our relationship with Christ grew closer, so did our friendship. Joshua attended all the Bible studies and worship services offered at the county jail. When Joshua was saved, he was released from his sin and the guilt and shame that went with it.
He spent his time getting ready; ready for when he would be released and ready for the life God had ahead for him.
I recently found out that Joshua went home to be with the Lord. I was saddened to hear the news but comforted to know he had used his final moments of incarceration wisely. I am thankful that this time when the Lord called Joshua, he heard Him and used the opportunity to get ready.