Sunday, I had the great privilege of attending the graduation of the second official graduate from Humble House Ministries, Tallahassee. This is a faith-based, twelve-month, residential program to help ladies transition from a life of addiction and arrests to a life of wholeness and victory.
Yesterday, I watched a young lady deliver her testimony in front of a room filled with family, friends, and supporters. Raw and real honesty flowed from her lips as she shared what her life had been before this program. She is not the same person.
Weekly, I have the privilege of teaching a bible study class with these girls and I will never forget when this young lady started. She did not want to be there and fought the process hard. But over time, I watched her entire demeanor change as God not only softened her heart, but the heart of the judge in charge of her court case. The more she submitted to the process of healing and wholeness, the more her life became radically different.
Sunday, when this young woman graduated, she not only completed the program, but had a consistent job, a new to her self-purchased car, and full custody of her daughter. My heart is overflowing as I see what God can do if we fully submit to the process.
And here’s the thing: it’s not just these girls that need a life change. Maybe we have never been in trouble with the law or we can’t imagine being hooked on a substance; but our hearts are sour, bitter, joyless, and hostile. Or maybe we have turned to men, women, sex, porn, food, shopping, or busyness to try and satisfy ourselves. We can’t stay here either. And oftentimes we sit in the judgment seat of those “lesser” than us and make harsh statements and assumptions.
The deep spiritual work these ladies are doing is no different than the deep spiritual work we need to pursue. While their story may not be our story, we all try to deal with life from our own fleshly insight and we tragically fail. And I can assure you we are more alike than different with these ladies.
Take a look this week at your heart. We are all controlled by something. If it’s not Jesus, what is it? And if it’s not Jesus, you’re chasing the wrong things. Worshipping the wrong king. Bowing to a meaningless, controlling factor. Don’t let this week pass without making steps toward freedom.
If anyone has a loved one in need of a program like Humble House, please visit their website: https://www.humblehouseministries.org/tallahassee. Lives still change. Never give up.