Last weekend, I participated in a Kairos Prison Ministry Weekend, wherein volunteers shared the love of Christ with participating inmates. The focus, patterns and content for each Kairos Weekend are the same, yet each Weekend takes on its own characteristics. Notably this time, I didn’t hear professions of saving faith in Jesus Christ, per se (although there may have been some unbeknownst to me), but virtually all the men experienced the Weekend as something of a turning point—an opportunity to look inwardly and upwardly, and to change the direction of their lives. Deep, genuine gratitude permeated the group. Here are some paraphrased testimonies from the closing ceremony.
I want to thank God. I was in darkness, but God sent brothers and gave me a family.
I wondered, what’s with all the cookies? Then I realized they touched my heart.
I was able to take down the walls that I’ve used to protect myself.
I thank God for the opportunity to be here. One thing that helped me bring down my walls was all the discussion around forgiveness.
I’ve been trying to turn my life around. We can’t be judgmental; we need to pick people up, fight our demons and go toward the Light.
We’re in a dark place. People give you fake smiles, but this weekend brought a genuine smile.
I love this whole Weekend. It helps get me ready to guide my children when I am released.
I learned to listen and not judge. I’m not perfect at forgiveness, but I’m learning.
This was a great experience. I was lost and am still lost. I’m trying to find my purpose in life. I want to find my light.
I have not felt this kind love in all my life.
Clearly, seeds of truth were sown into men’s hearts, and men’s hearts began to open, some a little, perhaps, and some a lot. (God knows for sure.) Yet that’s what Kairos is all about: sowing seeds of truth into the soil of men’s hearts. It reminds me of the historic account of a Samaritan woman who, leaving her water jar behind, hastened back to Sychar, heralding her encounter with “the Messiah at the well.” As the villagers made their way to Jesus in response to her testimony, He told His disciples, “The saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”1 Did you catch it? The work of sowing seeds of grace and truth is every bit as vital as reaping a spiritual harvest. Sowing and reaping—both are crucial, each in its own time.
Then when called to sow, sow confidently! If called to water, water prayerfully. And when sent to harvest, harvest joyfully. For the Lord of the harvest is with you.
Father, “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” 2 Send us into your fields to plan, water, or harvest, that lives would be saved and you would be glorified. In Christ we pray. Amen.
1 John 4:37-38 NIV
2 Matthew 9:38
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