STEPPING into BLESSINGs

As time goes on, my feet follow along. Stepping into blessings simply because Jesus is my confession. God always knew where He would have me go and He knew exactly what He would have me do. You see, influence isn’t a persuasion; it’s actually a conviction. In other words, “a mans gift makes room for him and brings him before great men” (Proverbs 18:16). So it’s not about impressing those audiences but impacting them.So as that rhyme sails out of me, I am actually on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry returning home from Ocean City, Maryland.  Ironically, I’m returning back to Ocean City, New Jersey.  Ocean City to Ocean City. State to State. I was once an inmate confined to an ocean of prison walls and barbed wire; and now I’m sailing across the waters to share my experience as a prisoner. I would have never imagined I’d be speaking where I just did, at a Correctional Administrators Association Conference. Because how could Inmate 314525E possibly think he can make a difference?Well, the answer is found in where I place my confidence. In Jesus.  It’s in Him where time thought lost becomes time used as gain. It’s in Him where a path once broken becomes a platform where grace is spoken. I am completely humbled yet again, that God would allow me the audience of so many great women and men. But that’s what His Words says. It says He will use our gifts to be the key that places us before “authority.” And I tell you the truth, I bet a large portion of the crowd never would have thought an inmate would be a positive influence for them to consider. I know I couldn’t imagine that. But that’s why God doesn’t ask us what we think; His vote to make much of Himself is unanimous. Anyway, it seemed as if the presentation was well received by the majority today. And I know that reception of a message isn’t the standard of success. But one kind woman’s words (a warden) immediately afterwards made me realize that the most important message was heard. She said, “I see the Christ in you” and smiled before she walked away. Thank You Jesus!Because if they don’t see Him in me, then there’s nothing to see or hear from me.