But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8, NKJV
In 2013, Angela and I went to South Dakota for a vacation. It was my first time seeing Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, Custer State Park, and other well known attractions the state has to offer. One of the thing I remember most though is praying for a stranger named Trent in Art Alley.
Art Alley is an alley in Rapid City, SD where graffiti is actually encouraged. Artists with varying skills from many walks of life leave their temporary marks on those walls. As we were walking through that alley, we were greeted by a man named Trent. I don’t remember everything Trent said but it was obvious that he was a man who had made several poor choices in life. It was also easy to tell he was very religious but he believed he had already exceeded God’s forgiveness. Before we parted ways, I asked if we could pray for him and he accepted. I really don’t know what I would have done had he said no because I already knew what I needed to pray and he needed to hear it.
Today’s verse was basically my prayer for Trent. Jesus didn’t die for us after we clean ourselves up, Jesus died for us while we were still sinners, when we were at our worst. As much as I believed Trent needed to hear those words, sometimes I think I’m the one who needs to hear them more. The times I creatively find a new way to sin and the situations I find an old boring way to sin, that’s the me Jesus died for.