Christian Living

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Larry Lilly’s Letter Tuesday May 8, 2007

Sunday past in the evening I served as Moderator for the Ordination committee for a younger pastor newly called to a church here in the home area. After questioning and assuring that we were not as Spurgeon remarked, “Laying empty hands on an empty head,” we proceeded to the Auditorium for the celebration ceremony and then to the fellowship hall for a wonderful meal, which is the hall mark of all Baptist meetings.

While talking in between bites, a fellow pastor began to tell me his story. And a very interesting story it is.

Seems John Sandiford served at the local Federal Penitentiary for a number of years as the Officer in charge of the now defunct Farm Program. John is retired and pastors a thriving church in the area. I mentioned that volunteer chaplain Gene Woodcox has become a friend through his being a blessing to me while I was serving in the opposite of Officer in charge at the Camp.

Pastor Standiford told me that one of the men assigned to his detail had a great ministry while serving time in the prison. With a tear in his eye he said this brother, long released from prison still calls him. And amazingly John said this man was the man the Lord used to cause him to come to Christ!! I cannot find adequate words to tell how big a miracle this is. This happened way almost 30 years ago.

I am telling you this story because so many people insist on God using people who meet their definition of “holiness.” This false definition may include anything from, “Not of my group to not of my color.” The outstanding Christian witness in this story is black and during the time frame of 30 years ago white officers would not have all that much to do with black prisoners. Actually officers in any era are to remain aloof from their charges. Yet the gospel of Jesus Christ knows no bounds, even the Apostle Paul took great encouragement while in prison that the “The gospel is not bound.”

We talked and I told John of Frances, one of our longtime members who had sent me a card with a little note. The card showed an old stone castle or prison, with cobblestone on a courtyard, and through the cobblestone, one, lonely rose was growing. The note on the card stated:

“Bloom where you are planted.”

Pastor John was planted as a Corrections Officer in the BOP and Christ bloomed in his heart. A prisoner, bloomed where he was planted and now, many others are saved and hopefully blooming where they are planted!

So, how about you? We know from the Bible, history and personal experience that prison, circumstances; even the grave cannot keep the gospel down. Therefore we have no right to get so down as to refuse to let our light shine for Jesus. Even in a dark place. Especially in a dark place or time.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2007 Use with credit

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