JUST RELEASED: A Free Man's First Steps to Ministry

Part II: Taking dominion while abiding in Christ

JUST RELEASED: A Free Man’s First Steps to Ministry

Part II: Taking dominion while abiding in Christ

I began this series with a look back. First and foremost, looking back on my deliverance from the bondage of sin, possible only by placing full faith in Jesus Christ, who died in my place and was resurrected by the power of God so that He may go and prepare a place in eternal paradise for all who believe in Him.

Second, I looked back on the blessings of incarceration. It’s easy in prison to spend time in the Word of God and in prayer, easy to find brothers to Bible study with, and easy to line up at the door every time an officer called for church. The challenge is carrying over those same habits to the “free world.”

There are worldly needs I knew must be satisfied as soon as possible following my release from John R. Lindsey State Jail - legal transportation and a job chief among them. But I also knew my relationship with God must remain my top priority even while fulfilling these needs.

It’s about taking dominion of my life while still surrendering each day to Christ. It’s about walking with HIm in all that I do, instead of trying to squeeze him in when it’s convenient. And as I’ve done this, as I’ve maintained my early morning Bible study time, as I’ve continued to go steadfastly to HIm in prayer for all things, as I’ve attended church faithfully in the weeks since my release, I’ve already been immeasurably blessed.

With my father’s help, my car has new tires, headlights and wiper blades, a new bumper cover, and its oil and all fluids have been topped off. Yes, the ‘ole Toyota Camry has been through a lot, but she is now properly insured and registered and is purring like a kitten while cruising down the road. Most important, there is nothing illegal in that car, because there is nothing illegal in my life. Jesus Christ freed me from bondage to all that, and every day I can see that in walking hand in hand with HIm, I don’t find myself in places where I’m face-to-face with that devil.

The job search was frustrating at first, as two prospective employers turned me down because of my criminal history. But just this week, glory to God, I secured employment, and did so with firm boundaries in place to protect my church attendance. I am finding as I walk closer to Christ each day, that my discipleship is opening doors, not closing them.

Do I drive my dream car? Am I beginning my dream job? No on both accounts. But I can accept these humble new beginnings, trusting that if I am faithful in what is least, the day will come when I am trusted to be faithful also in much. Of course, Luke 16:10 doesn’t end there. It goes on to say that he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.

I’ve been unjust with little and with a lot. That led nowhere except federal then state confinement. So as I move forward, walking freely in Christ, I know I must live by the words of Paul, who wrote, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.” (I Corinthians 10:12)

For me, taking heed means following the basic instructions of the 15th and 101st Psalms. To abide in Christ I must walk uprightly, work righteousness, speak truth, do no evil to my neighbor, despise all that is evil, and honor those who fear the Lord. I must behave wisely, set nothing wicked before my eyes, and refuse to let the work of those who fall away cling to me. David ended the 15th Psalm saying, “He who does these things shall never be moved.”

As “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14), that is, as I press toward fulfilling my calling to share the gospel, especially with prisoners confined by the same criminal justice system from which I was recently released, the next step is proving the concerns of the world - my new job, relationships, etc - will not move me away from the One who saved me, the One who delivered me, the One who is preparing an eternal home for me. 

Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. “ (John 15:5)

I am daily discovering how taking dominion of my life is much easier when I abide in Christ, the very vine that has supported me through so much.