I was in Washington, DC earlier this week. I was lobbying with Prison Fellowship to advocate for reasonable guidelines with supervised release (probation) for individuals releasing from prison. I teamed up with the five others (Mary, Lisa, Sammy, Jeremiah & Vincent) that you see in this picture to meet with federal legislators. Three of the six of us served time in prison. We talked with Representatives and Senators about both accountability for returning citizens and also reasonable opportunities for second chances.
We have engaged candid conversation these past couple days about what it looks like to offer second (and sometimes third and fourth and fifth) chances for people. What does it look like practically to forgive 70 x 7 times?
Micah 6:8 NIV He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Then I come back to what we’ve been watching in The Chosen over these past months with our Vital Men groups. Jesus offered second and third and more chances to the disciples. Look how Jesus lovingly gave Peter multiple chances to line up with the Jesus Way.
My prayer coming out of this Washington, DC trip is that you and I as Christ followers will consistently live out the love of Jesus with others. Provide accountability. Engage responsibility and ALSO welcome additional chances to follow the Jesus Way amidst the challenges of life.
