Just before Colleen and I were set to begin our Identity Matters class at County Prison, CERT teams were called into three housing blocks. They call it Spring Cleaning—a routine shakedown where cells are searched top to bottom to uncover hidden contraband. Two tiers per block. Over 200 men had their belongings tossed, strewn about the floor of their 7×10 cinderblock cells—most of them built over 100 years ago.
When everything you own fits in that small space, having it overturned feels deeply personal.
Three of the men from our class didn’t make it that day.
One was sent to ad-seg (the hole) after confronting a correctional officer about the chaos.
One, overwhelmed by mental illness, shut down—rocking silently in the corner of his cell.
Another simply pulled the covers back over his head, hoping sleep might offer escape.
It’s easy to take our freedom for granted. And yes, many of these men are here because of choices they made while free. But Jesus had a special place in His heart for the broken, the forgotten, and the imprisoned. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me… He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” (Luke 4:18)
And the truth is, we all have our own kind of contraband—hidden attitudes, habits, and hang-ups that don’t belong in the life of someone who’s been set free in Christ.
Maybe it’s time for a little Spring Cleaning of our own.
Sometimes it comes as a gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit. Other times, it’s the uncomfortable discipline of a loving Father. “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11)
After hearing what happened at the prison that day, I asked God to send a CERT team into my heart—to uncover what’s hidden, what’s harmful, what needs to go.
Will you ask Him to do the same in you?
Create in us clean hearts, O God. “Search me, O God, and know my heart… see if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23–24)
That’s your mid-week memo.
—Steve.
