The Search

Working two nights per week in this detention facility I work with is enough to make me observe what goes on during the nights that I'm there...

A pair of dirty hands from a young man was against the wall, on top of black painted set of hands. The deputy spread his legs wide open and started searching his whole body and the clothes' pockets. Up and down his torso, the gloved hands were careful not to miss any possible hidden weapons from this young man.

Searching into one of the back pockets of his faded denim jeans, the deputy swept a small, plastic-wrapped amount of some kind of white, powdery material. The deputy dropped it on the floor as he continued to search the young man. The young man's face was terrified upon seeing what was discovered by the deputy from his pocket. He thought it was too small to be noticed. He started getting nervous.

More bodies poured in, into that area called "Search and Hold", as the other deputies started doing the same routine of searching for any items that are illegal, like weapons or drugs, with these group of newcomers. One by one, they were subjected to this thorough searching.

The young man was led to sit on the chair by the Intake Nurse's small clinic. He was interrogated by the nurse to make sure that he was medically fit to be booked in. He slumped on the chair, with a haggard look, said "no" to all the medical questions. He denied having any medical or mental problems.

The deputy then, directed him to go to a particular cell, where he was supposed to wait for his name to be called so he could be booked. Drops of sweats became visible on his forehead. His heart was pounding. He knew that the discovery of small amount of drugs from his pocket would be used as evidence for the second time now that he was arrested.

He knew this was his last chance to change. If caught on the third occasion, he would spend his life into a longer prison term. He softly mumbled, "Dear God, help me! No more. This is it!"

He cooperated and obeyed whatever the custody staff told him to do. This time, he was really determined to change. For the best!

I placed my hands together, too except my knees were bended on the floor. I allowed the "Deputy" to search me through and through - my heart! I pray that He would discover the things that were hindering my walk, things that stall the progress of my work.

The "Deputy" saw the small amount of white stuff, covered in plastic material. How did I allow the righteousness from Christ be covered with my own self-righteousness? I started getting nervous and I could hear my heart pounding.

The "Deputy" took me and made me sat in front of the Intake Nurse [Holy Spirit]. All of the nurse's questions convicted me. But I said, "no" and denied I had problem with anything.

So, the "Deputy" then brought me to a cell so I could wait for a moment until I get called.

Sweating profusely, I mumbled, "God, help me! This is it! I need You to get rid of the things or ways that I do that do not please You. I know, O Lord, that if I don't allow You to search my heart, I will be wasting everyday, not doing whatever You willed for me. I want to be able to remain "FREE". I don't want to trust my own heart but in Yours. I want to do that before I get called."

So, while waiting to be called, there I was obeying the Word and instructions..."

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Psalm 139:23 -"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts."

Psalm 139:24 -"See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Romans 8:27 -"And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."

Revelation 2:23 -"Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds."