Let's talk change. It seems like every time we turn around, we are getting mixed messages on the subject. On one hand we hear how anyone can become the person they want to be, while on the other are those same ol' cliches that suggest otherwise... 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks', 'Once a cheater, always a cheater' and so on. But... what does the Bible have to say about change? A lot! Here are just a few verses on the topic:
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.- Galatians 2:20
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.- 2 Corinthians 5:17
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.- Romans 12:2
Even as we think back on the story of Paul, we are given a great example to how a person can be changed with God's grace. Here is a man who persecuted Christians, who became one of the greatest voices in the New Testament. Talk about a proof of restoration! Still, even seeing this played out in the Bible, it can be hard to imagine in our world today, can't it? What does that look like? How can someone who has been down to the bottom, truly turn their life around?
Today, I'm happy to share a new documentary series that can give us just that behind the scenes look, The Restoration Series: Johnathan's Walk:
For years, Jonathan has been in prison. As a result, he has missed milestone moments with his family. He wasn’t there for his daughter’s first day of school or a thousand little experiences with his wife and as a father, he is devastated to be separated from those he loves most.
Jonathan has been looking forward to his release from prison for over a decade. So many life events have been missed and he is now ready to be with his wife and kids again. Of course, this transition isn't going to be easy. The odds are against him: with over half of prisoners returning to prison within two years, Jonathan is aware of the challenge set before him.
Still, he is determined to take the skills he has learned into the world outside of incarceration and stay there, helping build the community that he is part of for years to come.
Prison Fellowship presents The Restoration Series: Jonathan’s Walk, a 5-part documentary film series following one man as he re-enters his community after 15 years in prison. It demonstrates in imagery, powerful storytelling and social interaction what it means to be human and the shared need of all people to see communities restored.
Though America is home to only 4% of the world's population, we house more than 20% of its prisoners. Recidivism–the tendency of a criminal to reoffend—is out of control. The Restoration Series tells the story of men and women who have experienced The Academy, a revolutionary in-prison program that is combatting incarceration and recidivism head on.
What a thought provoking series this promises to be. I love something that is going to make me open my mind and really think about situations that I perhaps wouldn't think about regularly. We hear so often about prisoners returning to prison soon after being released and assume they've just gone back to their old life. We don't consider the challenges they meet upon release, the transition period and how difficult that can be. What is the goal of the prison system? Is it just to get offenders off the street during their sentence, or is it to rehabilitate and help them to turn their lives around in a positive way? What are we doing to help that? I feel like this series will put a face and a family to the situation and allow us a better understanding. It might even inspire us to find out how WE can help with the great work that Prison Fellowship is doing. I for one cannot wait to check it out in it's entirety.
Ready to start watching? The Restoration Series: Johnathan's Walk is available to watch now. Visit here to learn more and watch the series. Let me know what you think in the comments below.
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