Jeremiah 29:11

I just had lunch with Jon Ruby and the guys from the Jericho Road “D-house”. What a blessing. When we moved up here I had no idea the impact that those guys would have on my life. I sat with a couple guys today and was completely blown away by what the Lord is doing in and through them. I sat with a real good friend of mine, a brother, and told him how he’s been such an encouragement to me. This guy, who just a few months ago without hesitation would rob his own grandmother for crack, is sitting in front of me and showing me what God has been showing him in his quiet time. Understand this, my friend has been nothing but a statistic since he was 12. In and out of group homes as a kid because his parents gave up on him. In and out of jail. Living in crack houses. Abused young so he became a violent adult. An addict. A nobody. Loved by no one. Hated by everyone. He opens his Bible to Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” In tears he turns to me and says, “God has a plan for me and a future. I’ve never had a future. I’ve always been told by everyone that I’ll never have a future. Now I have God telling me that He has a plan for me, and it’s not a plan to harm me.” My friend has come from a place so dark, a place that very few have ever experienced, and has walked right into the light and has been blown away by the love of Jesus.

My heart breaks for the lost. It absolutely breaks. But I thank God that I have the opportunity to know these guys and to be a part of their stories. I have no doubt that God has plans for my friend. Great plans. How many more are out there like this guy? How many more are lost and hurting, searching for this freedom from what enslaves them. This freedom and joy that I have and that my friend has. Please take some time and pray for God to give you an opportunity to be a light to someone. As Andy likes to say, “We need to keep praying for God to bring us broken, messed up people.” Amen. The fields are white and the clock is ticking.

Grace and peace,
Ryan

Matthew 9:37-38

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