The audio for this devotional is not available for now, but you can have your device read it to you.
Reading options
Verse:“Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”—Esther 4:14, NKJV
Five years ago, the new prison chaplain phoned me.
“Do you know anything about computers?” he asked.
“My predecessor used only paper files and had just a few volunteers helping him. Now I arrive, and the inmate population has swelled to three thousand! I am overwhelmed and need to get all these statistics and this information in a database. My present workload is impossible! Would you be able to help me with the database?” Was this God’s answer to me? “Yes, of course! I’d love to help you!” Though I am not a computer expert, I sensed God’s opening a door of service for me.
Besides, I’d been praying and knew God would help me learn.
As I assisted in the chaplain’s office, I became convicted this was my calling —and I loved it! One day the chaplain said, “I need help in the women’s unit, where we now have three hundred inmates.” I encouraged some of our ministry team to start Bible studies there. A retired pastoral couple had been volunteering every Monday night since 2013. With their help, these once-weekly group studies increased to five Bible-study groups, spread out over the entire weekend. These studies were in addition to ministering to the inmates in protective custody and solitary confinement.
God just threw all the doors wide open! Literally! Today, the most exciting part of my calling is ministry at the women’s site. I work with the chaplain office’s team planning Christmas programs and services and have the thrill of assisting at all baptisms. Yet I treasure most my one-on-one Jesus-sharing times.
The day I had to tell that young mother that her ten-year-old daughter was about to die of cancer, we held hands and begged God for her to be released in time to see her child before it was too late. My husband and I shared this prayer need at the men’s services, and they prayed as well. Then the little girl, surprisingly, got somewhat better and went home. The young mother was able to finish serving her sentence in time to be reunited with her daughter before the little one passed away.
I now know God has called me to be where I am.
Not just for the ladies in Unit 28 but also for me.
As a family member challenged me years ago, I challenge you today: “If you have any question about God’s calling on your life, get on your knees.
Ask Him to use you.” He will!
Diana Halverson