Always Be Ready

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” 1 Peter 3:15

It was my first time in the jail as a volunteer clergyman. I was a bit anxious, not knowing what to expect. My partner John was 70 and had been a jail minister for 40 years. He was as comfortable as a fish in water. I felt more like a guppy in a bowl of piranhas.

We were in a “pod” of inmates, which was a large open cell with card tables, a recreational area, a separate classroom, and a small gym with a basketball hoop and some workout equipment.

One whole side of the pod had two tiers of individual cells which contained the inmate bunks. I tried to take it all in without looking like a lost deer in the headlights, but fifty inmates stared at me from all over the pod, wondering who just walked in with John.

Jail is a place that’s all about posture. If you want basic respect, then you have to carry yourself with confidence, even if you don’t feel confident. Shoulders back and standing straight is a good start, but not chest out and puffed up, which invites an attitude. (And certainly not head down, slouched, and nervous…that invites sharks and bullies.)

A relaxed, confident posture says, “I belong here. I both give and expect respect.”

We checked in and the deputy said we could hold our Bible class in the empty gym. John told me to go around and invite the inmates to the class. My mind was on overdrive. I was a young guy and hyper focused on saving souls, Bible verses, and apologetics. I was convinced that we would stand toe to toe with every inmate, debating Christianity and leading our grateful conquers to Christ. In short, because of the atmosphere, I had prepared for stress and war.

Instead, I was met with half-hearted interest when I invited them to class. Some just scoffed and even walked away. As a new minister, I was fully expecting the inmates to swarm us, hungry for the Gospel and desperate for a life change! Instead, the response to us was lukewarm at best.

Then I saw one very old man come shuffling toward me as I held the door open to the gym. Finally! I could now employ the hours of study and memorized verses to a lost soul who needed Christ! Perhaps he would ask a deep theological question which could be reasoned out between us, using proper Scriptural references!

He came up to me, got real close, and said, “Hey man, you got a dollar?” It wasn’t exactly a deep theological question. I didn’t even have a dollar to give him…nor could I if I had wanted to.

That’s the day I learned to meet people where they are. That day I stepped out of my head and into the jail. I first had to be a fellow human, then a fellow sinner, then a minister, then by God’s saving grace (hopefully) a brother in Christ.

Don’t lose heart if you’re not saving souls left and right. Demonstrate a faithful Christian walk and ask God to cross your path with people you can influence for the Lord. He will do the saving, but you can do the influencing. Just like those inmates, the world is watching to see how you carry yourself.

I don’t want to be a “Kirby vacuum salesman” for the Lord, with a head full of knowledge but only seeing people as potential customers. I just want to be confident in my walk, relatable, and able to share Christ with those who God brings along. Oftentimes I fail to do so, but will continue moving forward anyway.

Perhaps today you will meet someone who needs a smile, hug, or word of encouragement. May your light shine brightly to such a soul who comes down your path…and may our great God be glorified in your life today!