It was one of those urgent sick calls we pulled from the pile of sick call requests from inmates. The words written complained of bleeding nose and that he was hearing voices. I glanced at my watch and realized I still had an hour before my shift was over last Sunday morning. I told the charge nurse, I would see the man.
He sat down in front of me, coughing and complaining of pain on the right side of face. I didn’t see any bloody nose. I touched his right cheek and it was slightly tender. He complained of on and off headaches. He admitted hearing voices but he said he wasn’t suicidal. That he only added it so he could be seen right away.
“That’s okay. Because I feel you have sinus infection if your right face have been hurting and you have headaches sometimes. You’re fortunate. Because our doctor came in early. I would go see her if I needed to give you some antibiotics.”
He let out a soft sigh and softly uttered, “Thank you, Ma’am. I appreciate your help and for not getting upset with me.”
The doctor did recommend antibiotics to be taken for 10 days and a nasal spray to aid with his congestion. I gave him all the instructions.
“Do you drink water? If you do, how much?” I probed.
“Ah….Mmmmm…”he paused.
“Just say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ Sir.”
“I do. But just a little.”
“Okay. From now on, if you’re not throwing up, try to drink lots of water to help you with your healing. It will loosen up those phlegm so you can cough it up. And that will prevent you from getting dehydrated. That’s okay if you can’t eat but the water is a must.”
“Yes. Okay…”
“Also, once you start these antibiotics, it’s very important that even if you are feeling better, you must continue and finish everything that I am giving you. Okay? If you feel like you‘re not improving, you can always put a sick call so we can recheck you.”
He got up and kept thanking me. It took me 20 minutes so I gave a little sigh myself that I had a little time left to chart in my notes.
We are once like that man before coming to Christ. Day in, day out. Congested with the things of this world. We fight hard. Except we use our own limited strength until we bleed. Yet, accomplished nothing. The hearts…always left with a gnawing emptiness and feeling of less worth and dissatisfaction. Not knowing that the Living Water is available, we never drank enough. Have you committed your life to Christ? Have you been drinking the Living Water?
Christ did not promise a good, rich life when we accept Him into our hearts. He is not of this world. Our highest accomplishments will not matter. Our riches and possessions will not matter. Our hope and trust on someone or something except Christ will not matter. We must continue once we start having Him as Lord in our lives. Because in our weakness, He will give us the strength. In our lack of knowledge, He will give His wisdom. When feeling afraid, He replaces that with courage. We must strive to keep improving. To know more about Jesus. To know more about God. “4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” - John 15:4-5 [NIV]
But being saved does not end there. We are given a mission to share the Good News to those who haven’t heard about it. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” - Matthew 28:19. This is the whole design of Christ’s commission. We are to teach. We are to make disciples. It is not about me doing ministry in the prison. It is not about our highest accomplishments that will matter. It is not about the prized possessions we have that will matter. It is all about the Lord Jesus. Our mission as His children is to share His gift of forgiveness. That will matter. Because God wants all to be saved…We are to plant the seeds. Yet, He is the One Who will nurture. Who will make them grow, not us. There is no second, no hour, no day that the Lord will not be there for His children.
So, how are we investing our time? Day. After. Day. We are saved. Now what? We are God's eyes. His hands. His mouth. His ears. His touch. May God bless you and empower you!
“May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.’ - 2 Thessalonians 3:5
Glory be to You Oh Lord forever and ever. In all ages to come. Thank You Lord for Your grace and mercy, Your faithful love that endures forever. Thank You for loving us first. Guide us with Your divine wisdom Oh Lord, to give us discernment and protect us. Give us the boldness Lord to share Your wonderful gift of salvation to those who are still wandering lost and whose roads will cross ours. Help us lead them to the only, narrow road that leads to eternal life. And may their hearts and minds be opened up to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Praise the Lord with me: [offenders singing at Indiana State Prison]:
STUFF
1 week ago
