Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Proverbs 17:22 (05/04/23)
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TITLE: Probation Conditions | Previous Challenge Entry
By Linda Lawrence
05/10/23 -
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These two are in their eighties, struggling to find strength for living, afraid of dying. Camilla is afraid to leave Ron behind in such a depressed state, and Ron is afraid of condemnation from God that he knows he deserves.
I’m afraid of failing to love them well, struggling to squelch my discomfort (and loss of my peace and joy) at where Camilla’s plea may be leading. “Ron is so low I fear for him,” she cries. “He went to court for the new DUI and would now be in jail, but the jail’s full. So he was released on probation, but he’s so depressed with the probation conditions. Would you come and pray for us? Ron likes to be around you.”
I don’t know why Ron likes me. I don’t like him. And I don’t like being at their house. However, God has made it very clear that I am to love him because Jesus loves him. Yes, we are both sinners. So I set up a time to visit.
Ron has given his heart to Jesus out of fear and knowledge that there is nowhere else to turn. He’s been saved, but by the skin of his teeth. He doesn’t yet have the faith to believe the devil isn’t still in him—even though he can believe Jesus died to rescue sinners like him. And that Jesus is in him too.
But Ron hasn’t seen or heard Jesus in any personal way. He’s trying to cling to what his ex-wife and I tell him. Camilla has demonstrated Jesus’ love to this abuser and user over and over. Even Ron admits Camilla is good at forgiving. I remind him he’s given her a lot of practice!
I know my joy-filled singing heart is good medicine for them, but when they are so heavy-hearted my joy in the Lord can feel like vinegar poured on their wound. Their depressed spirits are like dried-up bones, with little ability to absorb good news. But I’m determined to try once again.
I approach from the angle of the Apostle Paul’s courtroom metaphor, acknowledging Ron’s latest DUI guilt and the court’s condemnation and just punishment—and his hopelessness.
“But Ron, in God’s courtroom, isn’t it true that you have thrown yourself at God’s mercy and confessed that you have no hope except Jesus died to pay for your sins?”
“That’s true. I did. I do . . . but . . .” Ron’s voice is weak. His body is shriveled. Yet, he is squirming—with guilt? With shame? With hope?
I don’t know what to do except take Jesus at His word and believe that Ron is in Christ and Christ is in Ron. Camilla has seen evidence off and on, but then Ron drinks and he lets the devil master him. The law’s perspective of Ron’s guilt is justified. But the Spirit is advocating another perspective.
It takes a lot of faith for me to see Ron as justified in God’s sight—not guilty. To see Ron redeemed—no longer enslaved. But I believe that is the joyful good news God has given me to share with Ron.
As I read the assuring declarations from Paul’s letters I can see it is difficult for Ron to swallow the life-giving medicine. I don’t know if it is absorbed. But Jesus is present. And we are present to Jesus—praying for His healing prescription to take effect in Ron’s alcohol-thirsty body.
Camilla and I have had multiple reassuring experiences of Christ in us and us in Christ. He is our faithful Master and Physician. Those reminders lift and strengthen Camilla’s spirit. So I do not lose heart. In spite of dried-up bones, I’m trusting Ron and Camilla and I are being justified and redeemed every day by our merciful Advocate and Judge.
Non-fiction
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