-James Taylor, Santa Rosa Correctional Institution in Milton, FL
This poem is written to encourage and inspire others in troubling times. This poem details my life and how I used God to overcome obstacles. My hope is that you the reader will grow a more intimate relationship with God after reading this poem. I pray that you will be able to identify the snares of the devil and resist his wicked ways:
“They answered him, we are Abraham’s descendants, and we have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” (John 8:33) When Jesus told his opposers that they would be set free, they only thought of physical bondage, just like the opposers of Jesus so many people only think of freedom from a earthly physical perspective.
They live their lives working, spending money, and doing other mundane tasks but never achieving inner peace or having spiritual freedom. The freedom that Jesus provides gives us a life free from sin, worry, anger, resentment and so many other things. “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
The way to freedom is through the truth. The truth is in the word of God. When people study the word of God, they discover liberating truths that set them free from sin and so many other acts of the flesh.
During the writing of this poem, I am currently serving a thirty-year prison sentence. My time in prison has taught me so much about physical bondage and spiritual freedom. I have learned that God’s love is deeper than any pit or prison we may find ourselves in. Prison has forced me to give up the smart phone, social media, a love life and ultimately time with my family.
However, finding Jesus in prison has given me so much life, freedom, joy, peace and righteous living that I never imagined I could have. When I was physically free, I lived a life enslaved to sin, chasing money, women and pleasure.
When God wants your attention, he will transform every aspect of your life. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians, 10:31). Before prison I can say that I was not living for the glory of God. My music selection was filled with sinful and destructive songs. The movies and TV shows I enjoyed put worldly goals and ambitions in my heart.
You are what you eat. This is not only true for the physical, but also true for the spiritual. The influences of media and music will leave you in a snare to the devil and you will be completely blind to it.