The Zoo Cage Prophet

"Brother Adrian! Brother Adrian!" Chavo was flagging me down and calling me from about half the prison yard away. I was headed back to work, but I decided to meet him halfway.

Chavo is a new believer who has been in prison for over 20 years. He has never had any outside financial support from anyone. So the little he does have is well taken care of. It is clear and obvious that he is grateful for everything he has.

Last week one of the other leaders blessed Chavo with a simple watch. Ever since, Chavo can't stop looking at his watch. He is very happy to be the owner of a watch. His joy has been rewarding to see.

After doing his customary handshake and a quick manly hug, I asked what I could help him with.

"My watch is broken." He said with hurt-maybe sadness-in his voice. He handed it to me hoping that I knew how to fix it.

The watch was in great shape. The hour, minute, and second hands appeared to be working fine. The time was spot on. In my non-expert opinion the watch was in great shape and working fine-just as its maker designed it to work.

"What's broken about it?" I asked.

"I can't see the time in the dark." I knew he wasn't trying to be funny, so I held back from cracking a joke (normally I would). It was possible that this watch was the first watch Chavo had owned in 20 years. I examined the watch once again and learned two things. The first thing I learned was that the hands, numbers, and a few other key areas on the face of the watch had glow in the dark paint on them.

"See here?" I turned the watch face toward Chavo. "When light-sun, lamp, etc.--lands on and energizes the glow in the dark paint, you will be able to see these areas glow in the dark. But if you don't expose it to a light, the paint will have nothing to give back while in the dark."

I raised the watch up toward the sun for a few seconds. I then asked Chavo to cup the watch in his hands and hold it close to his eyes.

"Wow!" he lit up himself. "It's like it's glowing."

"It is." I responded in a joking tone.

"But..." a bulb had turned on in his head. "What if the dark time is long and I don't have a way to energize the face of the watch?"

"Ah, yes..." I smiled because there had been two things I had learned by examining the watch. "That's when you press this button on the right." I pressed it and showed him. Instantly the watch face was illuminated.

"Oh, wow!" Chavo was in awe. "That is so awesome. It's even brighter than the glow."

"Whenever you find yourself in the dark, call on the light, it will illuminate the face from within. It's part of the watch."

He was so happy he forgot to say bye before he ran off to show others. I wasn't offended, it was a joy to see.

Thinking back, I can see it might be beneficial for all of us to be like the watch. As believers-as children of the Living God-we are called to appear as lights in this dark, perverse, and crooked world.

We must glow with love, grace, mercy, patience, and much more when times turn dark. When hell breaks loose and darkness falls, the glow we reflect from Father's light will get us through it all.

To prepare for these unannounced dark times we must spend face time with the Pure Light Himself. When life is good and all is smooth going, we should be absorbing all of Father-our Creator. So, when needed, we can glow and reflect what He has given us, into the darkness. It is in the Light that we prepare to live through the dark.

Yet, as believers, we carry a secret weapon within us. A Light that illuminates the believer from deep within. A Light that is part of the believer, from the day he was born again, created anew. A Light that is sealed, making it one with the believer.

This Light is the Holy Spirit. And in times of darkness-just as in times of Light-He is there to guide, comfort, and energize. Not only illuminating Himself from within, but because He is God, no darkness can contain Him. Darkness runs from His presence.

So let's be holy watches on this earth. Giving light as we receive it, and living our testimony-unto others-by the Spirit. It's time to glow like we've never done before.

This little light of mine...I'm goin' to let it shine...