The flickering neon sign of the “Lucky Dime” cast a lurid glow on fifteen-year-old Caleb’s face as he leaned against the graffiti-scarred wall. His eyes, usually bright with youthful curiosity, were now shadowed with a hardened cynicism that belied his age. Tonight’s score had been small – a few phones snatched from distracted market-goers. Enough for his fix, maybe a little extra for the gang leader, “Blade.”
Caleb remembered a different life, a life filled with the scent of incense and the rhythmic cadence of hymns. His grandmother, Mama Sarah, a woman whose hands were as calloused from work as they were gentle in prayer, had filled his childhood with stories from the Good Book. He could still hear her voice, raspy but firm, reciting Proverbs 1:10: “My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.“
But the whispers of the street had been louder, more immediate than Mama Sarah’s gentle warnings. The allure of belonging, the false sense of power that came with Blade’s crew, had choked out the seeds of faith she had planted. Now, the Bible lay dusty and forgotten under his bed, its wisdom a distant echo. His friend, fifteen-year-old Chidi, shuffled beside him, his gaze fixed on the bustling street. Chidi, whose laughter used to fill the church youth group, now carried a perpetual air of unease. Their descent had been gradual, a series of small compromises fueled by boredom, desperation, and the intoxicating pull of acceptance.”Blade wants us at the warehouse,” Chidi mumbled, kicking a loose stone.
As they walked, Caleb couldn’t shake off a memory Mama Sarah had shared – the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). He’d always felt a pang of sympathy for the son who had squandered his inheritance. Now, he felt a chilling resonance. Had he not squandered the inheritance of love and faith he had been given?
The warehouse was a cavernous space filled with stolen goods and the acrid smell of cheap cigarettes. Blade, a wiry youth with eyes that held no trace of innocence, addressed them. “Tonight, we hit the electronics store on Market Street. Caleb, you’re quick, you go in first.”
Fear coiled in Caleb’s stomach. He knew this was escalating. Mama Sarah’s words echoed again, Proverbs 1:19: “Such are the ways of all who are greedy for gain; it takes away the life of its possessors.” He saw the truth in her words, the hollowness in Blade’s eyes, the desperation in Chidi’s.
Their “gain” was slowly stealing their very souls. Later that night, huddled in a corner with Chidi, sharing a meagre meal, Caleb voiced his unease. “
This isn’t right, Chidi. Mama Sarah… she always said there was a better way.”Chidi scoffed, but Caleb saw a flicker of doubt in his eyes. “Better way? Where? We’re stuck, Caleb. No one else wants us.”
Caleb remembered another scripture, Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The words felt distant, almost mocking in their current reality. But a tiny spark of hope ignited within him. Maybe, just maybe, there was a way out.
The next day, instead of meeting Blade, Caleb found himself walking towards the familiar gates of his old church. The Sunday service was in progress, the sounds of the choir spilling out into the street. Hesitantly, he pushed the door open and slipped into a back pew. He saw Mama Sarah, her face etched with worry, but her eyes widened with a mixture of shock and relief as she spotted him.
The sermon that day was on repentance and forgiveness, drawing from the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10). The pastor spoke of how even those who had strayed far could find redemption. Tears welled up in Caleb’s eyes. He felt a profound sense of shame, but also a glimmer of hope he hadn’t felt in months.
After the service, Mama Sarah rushed to him, her embrace tight and filled with unspoken love.”Caleb, my child! Where have you been?”He couldn’t articulate the shame and confusion that swirled within him. He simply said, “Mama, I… I’ve made mistakes.”
Mama Sarah held his face in her hands, her eyes filled with compassion. “The Lord is merciful, Caleb. ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness’ (1 John 1:9).”
The road to recovery wasn’t easy. Caleb had to face the consequences of his actions, the distrust of those he had wronged, and the difficult process of disentangling himself from Blade’s grip.
Chidi, torn between loyalty and a yearning for something better, eventually followed Caleb’s lead. They found support within the church community, mentors who guided them, and opportunities for honest work.
The dusty Bible under Caleb’s bed was now open, its pages worn from use. The scriptures that once seemed distant now offered guidance and solace.
Their journey was a testament to the enduring power of faith and the possibility of redemption, even for those who had wandered far from the path. They learned that true belonging wasn’t found in the fleeting camaraderie of a gang, but in the unwavering love of a community grounded in faith and forgiveness.
They were living proof that even in the darkest corners, the light of scripture could illuminate a path towards a new beginning.
TINARIS WORLD 