Press On!

This past weekend, my husband and I served in KAIROS prison ministry at Dolph Briscoe Prison in Dilley, Texas.  I’m always amazed that in such a very dark place, we see such light, laughter, hope and forgiveness among the brothers-in-white.

During the closing ceremony, a veteran brother-in-white and KAIROS graduate spoke to the 42 men who had just graduated. As I listened to his talk, I thought of you and I. We all could benefit from his reminder to Press On.

P is for Press- Press means “To urge with force or weight.” Pressing weights in the gym is something we’ve all done. We do so to improve our overall body strength and develop our core. In the bible, Paul states “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14 ) Paul is saying “It is the habit of my life to keep pressing on.” His faith is a lifelong commitment. He is all about pressing on! Are you passionate about your faith?  Are you pursuing Christ in your life? Whether you’re in prison or the free world, press on! Don't give up!

R is for Reading- Read God’s word. I find that starting my day by reading scripture helps me in so many ways. God’s Word is living and alive and sharper than a double-edged sword. God’s word can encourage me, convict me, challenge me, and guide me in daily life. To be sure, reading the Bible has the potential to transform your life! There are tons of great bible reading apps to help you start!

E is for Endurance-Can you imagine being locked up for year after year, never seeing past a wired fence? Brothers-in-white experience so much rejection, aloneness, shame, un-forgiveness, losses of family, privileges and freedom.  There are times that we, in the free world, experience these things too. Do you have the presence of an inner strength and hope to get you through whatever comes your way?  God can give us this endurance, we only need ask!

S is for Surrender-Surrender means to yield ownership, to relinquish control over what we consider ours, our property, our time, our “rights.” Surrendering to God means that we simply acknowledge that we “own” what belongs to Him. He is the giver of all good things. Surrendering to God helps us to let go of whatever has been holding us back from God’s best for our lives. (Following Jesus: Surrender to God) Surrendering to God can sound like a bad idea for  many. Far from it! Sometimes we miss the fruit of surrender because we’re so scared to let go and trust God fully.

S is for Singing-When was the last time you worshiped God? Whether it’s listening to your own worship music as you work out or worshiping at church, God loves when His people worship Him. When we worship, we lift our minds and hearts to God, giving Him praise. We realize God is God and we are not.

Pressing On is a message for our brothers-in-white. It’s also a message for each of us. Press On. Don’t give up. Life your eyes off of your current circumstances and see the freedom that God can give you! That freedom is available even in a prison cell.

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.