Yesterday afternoon I was out in the rain for visiting hours at the city jail. Going around, up, and into the little room with the little phones you pass through a lot of doors with magnetic locks.
If you've ever been in a jail or prison, you know that magnetic locks make a distinctive sound when they seal shut. The farther in you go, the heavier the doors and, therefore, the louder and thicker the sound of the locks sealing behind you.
Leaving the jail, you pass through all the same doors with all the same sounds---only in reverse. Softer and softer seals, lighter and thinner doors, and then fresh air and free sky.
As I stood on the steps outside the Montgomery Municipal Jail, just past the light and unlocked double-glass doors of the main entrance, I thought: The sound of jailhouse doors sealing shut behind you is either the saddest sound in the world or the happiest sound on earth.
It all depends on which way you're facing.
Certain difficulties and trials are ordained for you. They’re necessary for your development as a person, as a soul. These troubles will happen. When they happen you can look at the problem and remain hypnotized by the magnitude of the trouble, paralyzed by the enormity of the task, locked down by the weight of your circumstances.
Or
You can turn from your past and look toward Jesus and walk in the comfort of His love, move in the confidence of faith, advance under the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Either way, you’ll still deal with the same problems. Either way, certain doors will be closed to you.
But, one way, and the doors seal you into progressively heavier bondage. The other way and the doors seal you off from bondage and open to you greater and greater freedom.
It all depends on whether you look to your circumstances or whether you look to Jesus.
It all depends on which way you’re facing.
----- Anderson T. Graves II
Email us at hallmemorialcme1@aol.com
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves
Montgomery, AL 36116
If you've ever been in a jail or prison, you know that magnetic locks make a distinctive sound when they seal shut. The farther in you go, the heavier the doors and, therefore, the louder and thicker the sound of the locks sealing behind you.
Leaving the jail, you pass through all the same doors with all the same sounds---only in reverse. Softer and softer seals, lighter and thinner doors, and then fresh air and free sky.
As I stood on the steps outside the Montgomery Municipal Jail, just past the light and unlocked double-glass doors of the main entrance, I thought: The sound of jailhouse doors sealing shut behind you is either the saddest sound in the world or the happiest sound on earth.
It all depends on which way you're facing.
Certain difficulties and trials are ordained for you. They’re necessary for your development as a person, as a soul. These troubles will happen. When they happen you can look at the problem and remain hypnotized by the magnitude of the trouble, paralyzed by the enormity of the task, locked down by the weight of your circumstances.
Or
You can turn from your past and look toward Jesus and walk in the comfort of His love, move in the confidence of faith, advance under the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Either way, you’ll still deal with the same problems. Either way, certain doors will be closed to you.
But, one way, and the doors seal you into progressively heavier bondage. The other way and the doors seal you off from bondage and open to you greater and greater freedom.
It all depends on whether you look to your circumstances or whether you look to Jesus.
It all depends on which way you’re facing.
----- Anderson T. Graves II
Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church
Call/ fax: 334-288-0577Email us at hallmemorialcme1@aol.com
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves
If you want to be a blessing to this ministry, contributions may be made by check or money order.
Mail all contributions to :
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Rd., Montgomery, AL 36116
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