All Things Work for Good

“We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

In 2009, we started visiting the son of a friend of ours who was incarcerated in the city jail because of a skewed justice system. He was just 23 years old, and the prison was a horribly crowded place. Inmates slept on stairways, holes in the ceiling, and all sorts of cramped areas if they did not have any money to pay for bed space. 

It was a terrible, terrible thing for this young man to have to stay in jail for several years but we saw how God made this situation work for good. As we visited him weekly, we started a prayer meeting and got to know the horror stories of some of the inmates. He admitted that if God hadn't allowed him to go to jail, his life may have gone on a downward spiral. But he grew in the Lord, his heart expanded, and he recognized his gifts. He didn't use to read, but he started reading lots of books. When before his jail time, he was concerned with acquiring the best cellphone and having a good time, he began to appreciate simple joys. He also cared about the other inmates. He made really tasty sandwiches, and served them to his fellow inmates. He especially tried to show care to those without visitors, because those men sometimes got crazy!

He started drawing and painting after he had a dream. He asked his mother to get him brushes, paints and canvas. He started a painting club with some of the other prisoners, and even held an exhibit. He started painting the inmates in stark black and white, and a well known gallery held an exhibit of those amazing artworks which received much acclaim. After the judge declared him innocent of the crime, he was freed. I lost touch with him but I know he continued to paint and have exhibits not only in the Philippines but Europe as well. 

Many times when I remember people I once journeyed with and then parted ways, I entrust them to God confident that He who began the good work in them will bring it into completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).