Victorious Living

It is very hard to walk the Christian life in prison, let alone comprehend how to live it victoriously.

Twenty-five years ago a Miami Dade County criminal court judge sentenced me to 45 years as a “habitual offender” after I stole a pair of jeans. A “habitual offender” is a person who has been in prison at least twice and the current offense happened within 5 years of his release date.

I thought for all practical purposes my life was over. I would be 80 years old when I got out, if I lived that long. But God had a plan. Understanding how much he loves me was cataclysmic. It absolutely changed me. Living in a prison environment for 25 years has taught me to trust God. He can handle every struggle I face a lot better than I can.

“Those who wait on the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up on wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Waiting on the Lord is the key to living a victorious life. However, whenever I am burdened, distracted, or irritated by the occupational hazards of prison life, waiting on the Lord is probably not what I want to hear.

But waiting on the Lord is not the same as waiting for the end of a difficult situation to pass. The word “wait” in the Bible connotes a time of hope and expectation. Trying to accomplish things on my own strength instead of waiting on the Lord has landed me flat on my face time and time again.

But God uses my failures to prepare me to listen to Him. I’ve had to learn the hard way not to lean on my own understanding but to trust the Lord with all my heart. Then I will be patient when He asks me to wait. He is never too tired or too busy to listen and to help.

When I went to confinement here at Union Correctional Institution for something I didn’t do, I felt like life was crushing me and it seemed as if I could go no further. But I called upon the Lord and waited upon Him. In two days I was released and completely exonerated.

This was not the first time I was placed in confinement unjustly. But it was the first time I trusted God completely and waited on Him.

The more I learn about God the more I understand what He expects of me. It makes me examine my actions, attitudes, and motives. That’s when I realize how much I need Him; I am weak but He is strong.

While I see my immediate needs, God views everything from an eternal perspective. He works things out beyond my comprehension for my benefit. I can trust Him in the midst of the tragedies because I know He has my best interest at heart.

His plans for my life are being worked out even though I may not understand them. I am always on His mind and He is omniscient, which means He has a reason for everything that happens to me. He cares, He guides, and when I am too weak to walk, He carries me.

“He gives strength to the weary and to him who lacks might, He increases power.” (Is. 40:29)

When life is full of difficulties, living a victorious life may seem impossible. What is going on around us can make us lose focus. But when we let God penetrate our hearts it will give us a new perspective.

It’s easy to become distracted and frustrated in a world where difficult people surround you. In the education department here at this prison I am working as a tutor. I’ve become a small part of a greater whole. I am living a victorious life to my surprise. God has turned prison into an opportunity. No matter what the circumstance may be or how intimidating the situation may seem, good and positive things can come out of the experience.

The only way to live a victorious life in hard times is to let Christ live through us. When we focus on living for Christ, we become one with Him. We are no longer alone because Christ lives in us—He is our power for living and our hope for the future.