I had the privilege
this week to attend a special graduation; I went to a TUMI graduation. It was held at our local prison, and the gentlemen graduating were all
incarcerated. I was invited to go by my
friend who has been teaching the course the men were graduating from for the
past four years. TUMI stands for The
Urban Ministry Institute, and it is a seminary level theological study. The graduation program was powerful. Fifteen men received a certificate of
completion in this course which is funded and administered by Prison
Fellowship. Fifteen men studied for four
years about God, His Word, His plan and purpose, discipleship and
leadership. Fifteen men who many would
perceive as "less than," proved themselves to be committed to Jesus
Christ and knowledgeable about His Word.
A few of them
briefly told their stories. I was struck by the idea that their stories were my
stories. Some of the details are
obviously different, but the basic facts are the same. We are sinners. We have committed acts that make God
Almighty weep. God, in His great mercy, sent his one and
only son, Jesus Christ, to be born on earth, to experience life as we
experience it, and to eventually be killed in a horrific and traumatic way,
paying the consequence for the sins that I committed as well as the sins of the
TUMI graduates. The TUMI graduates and
myself are now children of God -- together. We are family. We are one.
I was overwhelmed by that truth.
Even now, it is something a bit out of my grasp as I work to wrap my
mind around it.
I was also struck by
their commitment to minister to those in their corner of the world. They weren't whining and complaining about
how God probably couldn't use them. Though a few mentioned the idea of someday,
when they could be released, they weren't focused on a life circumstance that
they weren't currently living. They
spoke of ways to interact with other inmates, creating relationships with men
who come in, and how often the relationships don't last long because the men
are moved on. It didn't sound much
different from my world. I have a set
group of people I tend to interact with, encounter on a regular basis. I live in just one neighborhood and see the
same people drive up and down my street, the same children walk by my house to
school, the same people working in their yards during the summer, and shoveling
snow in the winter. I came face to face
with the reality that I had a distinct group of people to minister to and to
reach with the gospel of Jesus Christ, just like the TUMI graduates. I don't need to wait for "someday,"
when my circumstance might be more appealing, or easier, or holding more free
time, or more financially secure. The TUMI graduates had a willingness to
study, read, stretch themselves, be tested and evaluated on their knowledge of
Jesus and His Word. And they were excited and ready to apply their knowledge,
their passion and their faith with whomever God sent to their
"neighborhood." I could hear God's spirit challenging my heart and
asking if I was as prepared and excited to reach those I encounter with the
truth and love of Jesus' gospel as those amazing TUMI graduates.
I had the privilege
this week of attending a special graduation.
I went without expectation of receiving and left overwhelmed by the
example exemplified by those I have at times perceived that I am better than. They humbled me, challenged me, and excited
me about the opportunities God has given to me in my small corner of the
world. My heart is full as I think about
my extended family that I was newly introduced to; have 15 brothers, and I'm proud to say they
all recently graduated! God is good, and I am grateful that He allows even me
to be part of His glorious family.
