On the Road to Freedom

"Freedom is the opportunity to free our mind to be what we never thought we would be no matter where we are."

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NIV

As we enter into the month of March we can't help but to reflect back one year ago when our world suddenly changed. Most of us had only heard the word pandemic, however it was only relatable in our minds to foreign countries or past stories written in our history books.

As we entered into this strange unusual season, we learned the definition of a pandemic which is a disease that is prevalent over a whole country or the entire world. In March 2021, this pandemic rapidly spread and our world changed forever! Everyone in some way faced something we could have never imagined. Suddenly we were asked to stay in our homes isolated from others and "BE STILL" not knowing what tomorrow looked like or what might lie ahead.

We became literal prisoners of our own homes from something we couldn't see with our eyes but soon could feel the extreme results. The reality of this new way of life became incomprehensible, as we became unable to gather, unable to see the ones we love, unable to go to work and school, unable to control our lives even unable to worship!

In the bible we see that there is only ONE thing that brings Freedom and that is the TRUTH of the word of God. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. John 8:32

In the book of Isaiah Jesus said, "He has sent me to proclaim liberty (freedom) to the captives (prisoners) and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty (freedom) those who are oppressed;

During this season, many of our incarcerated veteran students who are part of the KPM Leadership Academy have experienced extreme conditions as the pandemic swept through the prison cells behind the wire.

Many found themselves incapsulated with fear, and uncertainty. They have experienced feelings of hopelessness with thoughts of being overlooked and forgotten. Those infected or exposed to the virus have dealt with extreme times of isolation and feelings of depression and anxiety. The confinement that they once knew has become even more intense and extremely challenging as days turned to months and months have turned into a year. A year now without visits from friends and family. Classes cancelled, no meals together, no worship services and minimal to no contact with the outside world and volunteers. However, we are excited to announce that this month some of the restrictions have been lifted and they will be able to start introducing new strategies for progressing forward.

We want you to know that God's favor has been on this ministry during this time. We have had access when others have not. We know that God's hand has been upon us so we could bring the hope and light of Jesus Christ to those who have been in such great need of the light and love of Jesus Christ. God has given us creative ways to reach into areas where there has been no access to others to shine the light of Jesus on the broken hearted. God has been so faithful and we are so grateful for his favor that makes a way even when it looks impossible.

I recently read a life changing book by Viktor E. Frankl called "Man's Search for Meaning." Victor was a prisoner of a Nazi death camp in Auschwitz. In his writings he shares profound experiences on his journey of captivity and his search for spiritual survival. He inspires us to find significance in the very act of living.

He explains that everyday, every hour we are offered the opportunity to make decisions and determine whether or not we will submit to the powers that threaten to rob us of our very self, our inner freedom; specifically based upon our circumstances and conditions.

He shared that it was the understanding that our inner (spiritual belief and freedom) our faith in Jesus Christ which cannot be taken away from us, is what makes our life meaningful and purposeful.

Sometimes it is in the very trying moments of life that we may have not chosen to be in that God has us "BE STILL" and experience Him and his presence. It is there that we can understand our true meaning in life. It is in those moments when we are still and quiet, that our soul begins to rest. It is in those still moments that we experience His freedom from the captivity of our circumstances of pain, fear and hopelessness.

Our theme song for our veterans program is by Willie Nelson called "Still is Still Moving." We love this song and so do the veterans. It expresses the thought that just because you feel like you are going nowhere (possibly confined in one place), you can still move toward God's plan for your life.

You can BE STILL and STILL......

1. Read God's Word

2. Pray for Yourself and Others

3. Hear God's Voice

4. Encourage Others

5. Invest in Yourself

6. Come up With New Creative Ideas

7. Look for new ways of doing old things

8. Reach out and Help Others

STILL IS STILL MOVING on the road to FREEDOM!

Be STILL and KNOW that I AM GOD! Psalm 46:10

This is the ONLY road to FREEDOM!