04/09/2026
Talking to God
"I was talking to God." I love it when someone says these words! As a volunteer lay Christian counselor at our local juvenile jail, I spiritually, mentally and emotionally adopt thirty or so boys and young men for the duration of my twice a week visits. Their concerns become mine. Unsurprisingly, their background stories are filled with pain. Though I am a practical and ardent right-winger, I unashamedly have a bleeding heart and try to find empathy for each one of them, despite the seriousness of their crimes.
Undoubtedly, this kind of work appeals to me because I have not always been on the right side of the law either. I was a pot-smoking hippie wannabe in my younger years. The goal of jailhouse ministers is primarily to connect these troubled youth to God through Jesus Christ. Those incarcerated are a tough and skeptical crowd. Without my strong belief that there really is a God who is helping in this endeavor, I wouldn't even try. But the rewards are tremendous! The Bible uses a term - countenance - that describes the essential appearance of a person and I have had the privilege to see an extraordinary transformation in some of the lads. Their countenance changed as if there was a new person inhabiting their bodies! And that is exactly what we Christians are told will happen when we begin to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit of God is born in us. Our spiritual eyes and ears are opened for the first time and we understand seemingly simple things that non-believers aren't able to grasp, though they may be highly educated or have attained a highfalutin status. This is why pro-life arguments and those against homosexuality, racism, and other obvious evils are oblivious to the blind in spirit.
So, when I hear one of my young charges say that he was praying or talking to God, then I know that he is headed in the right direction. Talking to "The Man Upstairs" means they are believing! They are beginning the most wondrous journey possible, an eternal life with the maker of the universe. The core center of the Bible and all of Christianity is a belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as the beginning to receive all that the Good Book has promised. Jesus claimed to be the only way to the Father, God. Was He crazy, a liar, or was He telling the truth? The historical fact that Christ died a horrible death on a cross rather than renounce His teachings proves, at least, that He believed it. The many witnesses to His ministry and miracles also give credence to the biblical accounts. When we humbly move over and let Jesus Christ take over the driver's seat of our life, allow Him to be the Lord, that is the moment of not only salvation but transformation, the real Big Bang! Then, you will begin to notice a difference as the blessings flow into your life, depending on your willingness to (obey) co-operate with God.
It is not only the criminals but we have all heard the tempter say, "You won't know if you like it, if you don't try it." If we are truthful we will admit that we know sin/have done wrong/made mistakes too. Well, the same logic used by the dark side works for the good guys as well. Try Him (God). You'll like it! Jesus promised, "Seek and you will find." Take the easy leap of faith and fall into heaven. It costs you nothing and you win the richest lotto. You don't have to change your ways, become a holy roller, go to church, or even read the Bible to get the ultimate high - the peace that passes all understanding. There are no magic words that must be said, no fancy clothes, nothing is required but to simply believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 3:16, Acts 16:31) God's plan is simple: you can't go to heaven if you don't believe it exists! If you don't seek the truth you will not find it. There is no neutral ground. You are either with God or you are against Him. You can always change your mind later and turn back to your sins, as Judas did. How about you? Will you talk to God?
