The “20 minute recess” included a quick breath of fresh air in the sunshine, a second trip through the metal detectors, up 3 flights of stairs and back to the benches. Nearly one hour later, the agonizing sentencing began.
Finding the Love that Sets Her Free
The “20 minute recess” included a quick breath of fresh air in the sunshine, a second trip through the metal detectors, up 3 flights of stairs and back to the benches. Nearly one hour later, the agonizing sentencing began. The judge carefully and methodically read each sentence applicable to the crimes committed against the three young girls–then ages 11, 12 and 13 years old. Tears were falling from the girlfriend, aunt, grandma and across the room to the family of a murder victim.
As the 18th count sentencing was reached, the shackled man sat motionless. Although convicted by a jury, he expressed no conviction of the heart. Nor was there any rejoicing or victory evident in the courtroom or afterwards. Sadness was felt in all hearts for all parties involved in both cases. No one won but the enemy. Or so we think.
After confirming that the once abused and neglected child understood his 174-month sentence, the judge offered a tearful but powerful message to the one (now adult) victim present. These sincere and sympathetic words cut through one of the many layers of cement which many years of abuse had formed around her heart. The hope for a holistic and healthy future expressed offered a glimpse of the possibilities for a new life. Soon tears were flowing from the survivor because love breaks down the walls that divide us and leads to the One who can truly set us free–Jesus Christ.
Unconditional love is shown in many ways and can simply be coming alongside as an advocate or being a voice for the broken. Jesus offers living water so we never have to thirst again–water the woman at the well longed for and Jesus freely offered regardless of her current lifestyle choices.
John 9:11-18, 25-30
“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water?…” Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”…The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!”
Living water may not have been offered in the courtroom that day, but justice was served and the kind, hopeful words from a sympathetic judge led to discussions of what a “better life” looks like. The long journey home provided the opportunity to share kind and loving words to a very broken woman. Soon more tears were flowing and the walls of her heart began to crumble and her lips quivered the words: “I want to go to church. My son wants to go to church.”
Words can’t express the joy felt when Jesus’s love pierces the heart of a someone you’ve been praying for and walking beside for seven months with seemingly no progression toward a better, healthier and sustainable life. But progress is not measured by our ever-changing world standards.
Progress is measured by the amount of love, faith and hope that is offered and received as she begins to believe there is really a better life out there–one that God created her for. That realization is the key to starting a new life in Christ where true love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control can be experienced for the first time. This is the standard we as believers should be living by.
Are you willing to invest in the life of another to gently and patiently guide her to become the woman God created her to be? Hope and love can be given in many ways: praying, listening to, providing tangible material resources, gift cards, sorting and delivering clothes and hygiene products, being an advocate, providing transportation to/from appointments, helping fill out paperwork, researching legal or professional services, and so many more opportunities to serve these women.
If your heart breaks for the brokenhearted like our Heavenly Father’s does, and you want to make a difference, visit our Hands of Hope ministry page for more information.
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