In ministry, my husband and I hear amazing testimonies of what Jesus has and is doing in lives of those we minister to. Just this week I interviewed two men who, by the world’s standards, were considered hopeless, unredeemable, written off by many …but Jesus!
There’s a common thread among the people we talk to … most had no home life growing up … no father and/or mother in their life … most subjected to abuse. Many say there is no way the God of the Universe could or would love someone like them …but Jesus!
The two men I interviewed this week would up in solitary confinement in prison. That’s where they met Jesus up close and personal. That’s where they spent 24 hours a day reading His Word. That’s where they got on their knees and cried out to Him and He heard their cries ... but Jesus!
Jesus redeemed these two in a mighty way; and Jesus is redeeming many, many more everyday. He equipped them, strengthened them, and restored them. I sit in awe hearing their powerful testimonies.
The Dutch Christian, Corrie Ten Boom, said, “There is no pit so deep that Christ is not deeper still.” She knows all about Jesus having survived concentration camps in World War II. Jesus was the answer that got her through.
Jesus does have really long, loving arms to reach to the bottom of the pits we dig and pull us out of our muck and mire. Jesus does it every minute of every day because He loves us all.
Each one of us finds ourselves in a prison or a pit of despair at some point. Life can bring us huge problems that are beyond our own strength and wisdom.
We can feel like we have nowhere to turn. We think of those whom we know to whom we might turn to in our despair, but we realize that it will not be enough. We are in the mud and mire of an unfortunate predicament and there is no one to help us pull ourselves out. We have made mistakes, unwise decisions, and we have gone in the wrong direction. We have ended up in the wrong place. Like a lost sheep, we have wandered off the path that God had for our lives. if you are in despair, He will show you a way out. He will provide a way of escape and bring you to solid ground. He will steady your life and meet your every need. As you trust Him and walk with Him, He will bring you out of the mud and mire of your life.
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8 :38-39) “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.” (Psalm 40:1-2).
Debby Efurd is co-founder of Cary John Efurd Ministries of Pittsburg, TX. She has been a contributor to Bound for Life and written numerous articles published in LifeNews, Christian Post and the Baptist Standard, and is the author of Go Tell It! Visit her blog, The Second Mile, at www. debbyefurd.com and contact her by email (caryjohnefurdministries@ gmail.com).
