Justice, Mercy and Calling

I had lunch yesterday with a woman who I hope to count among the people I will call “friend”. As we talked about her thoughts for the future and my reflections on the past I was awed again by the hand of God on my life.

Years ago I dreamed of being in the criminal justice profession – just not the way I am doing it! Today God is using me for ministry to the incarcerated, their families and the victims of crime. The work that I am doing now seems so inadequate yet I can see God's mighty works being done through my feeble attempts. Through these years God has truly held my hand and guided me through the trials and joys of life! How can I do anything less than offer him my simple attempts and my open heart?

Thus says God, the Lord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people upon it
and spirit to those who walk in it:
I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness,
I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people, 
a light to the nations,
to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.
I am the Lord, that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to idols.
See, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth,
I tell you of them.
- Isaiah 42:5-9