Wednesday, April 30, 2014

By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo

28 Years in Prison

John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Shohoiya Yokowai spent 28 years of his life in prison. It was not a prison of bars, locks and wardens, but a self-imposed prison of fear. He was a Japanese soldier on the island of Guam during WW2.  When the American forces landed, he fled into the jungle and found a cave in which he hid for 28 years because ... he was afraid of being captured by the Americans.

Although he learned that the war was over by reading one of the thousands of pamphlets dropped into the jungle, his fear kept him in this cave, this self-imposed prison.  For 28 years he lived in the cave, coming out only at night in search of his nourishment .... roaches, rats, frogs, and mangoes.

Finally some natives found him and convinced him that it would be safe for him to come out of his jungle prison.

It's easy to think, "What a waste! Imagine, spending 28 years living as a prisoner of fear." However, there are many people who are prisoners of fear.

Today's verse reminds us that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sins, and when we accept His forgiveness, we are FREE!

Sadly, just like Shohoiya, some have heard the message of Christ and maybe even accepted it as truth yet they remain in slavery to sin, hopelessness, doubt, and more...

I challenge you today to evaluate your life and determine whether you are walking in the great freedom that Christ intended. Are you putting your trust in Him or hiding in a spiritual cave?

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.

Reflection: Do I trust God enough to completely come out of any darkness in my life that is holding me captive?