Post by Pastor Tim – Blog posts are worthless if they are only words on a web page and not realities in the life of the person who wrote them.  With that in mind, I have penned a letter to the friend that I mentioned in my last post.  I wanted to share portions of the letter with you so that you can see how I’ve applied “ransoming the captive” in a practical way.

After affirming our friendship, I wrote,

With your setbacks that have happened over the last few months, I’ve gotten the sense that you are dumbfounded with what is going on.  In other words, you are wondering why God’s blessings are withheld from your life when you are simply trying to do the right things.  But I think that your current situation is being used by God in a variety of ways – the question is whether you will view it as an “attack from God” or as a “tool used by God to help you grow?”

Remember what Peter said,

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.  (1 Peter 5:6-10)

These verses aren’t a magic formula for you to get what you want, but they should give some insight into the kind of attitude that God expects from us during difficult times (and all times for that matter).

I fear that your situation will not get better until you humble yourself and repent before God and some of the other people that you need to repent too.  Then, from a position of humility you can begin to take steps forward in areas such as job, finances and spiritual life.

I would like to help you find some assistance in the area of money management as well as a trusted Christian counselor.  As you said in an earlier text, our relationship is good, but it would be nice for you to have “flesh and blood” people that you can rely on in your local area.  I would also like to help you by worshiping together on the phone and also help you get connected with other believers in a local church.  I’m happy to help you with your cell phone minutes so that we can take the time to worship together.

Are you willing to explore some of these areas with me?  I’m certainly not willing to abandon our friendship and I don’t think any less of you because of your current struggles, but with God’s help, I want to ransom you from your current situation and see you grow in God!

This letter isn’t meant to be an end in itself but rather a small piece within the context of a long relationship.  It’s a letter that is enveloped with the ongoing promise of my presence, and, more importantly, God’s.