Take a good look at this picture. At first light, predawn colors are reflected and distorted by a rare puddle in Australia’s highly saline Lake Eyre. Oh, it’s real! Looks imaginary doesn’t it? The Bible Story Teller wishes to point out that photographs and artist’s interpret the world differently. This photograph shows the power of illusion and extreme desolation, as did Robert Stroud’s life. Robert Stroud was born in 1890 and died in 1963. He was not perfect. He killed two men, one in 1909 and one in 1916. Both men were killed for deeply personal reasons. He was incarcerated in four different prisons in the United States. Mr. Stroud had a third grade education when he entered prison. While in prison he took several classes and discovered he enjoyed learning. Mr. Stroud served 54 years in prison, 46 years in solitary confinement! More than any federal prisoner—ever. He lived to see other prisoners released for the same crime, after serving shorter sentences. In spite of a brutalizing and demoralizing prison system, an almost-psychotic murderer was changed into a thoughtful quasi-scientist solely through his own efforts.
Mr. Stroud endured unimaginable hardships and bitter opposition of prison officials. While incarcerated, he became an authority on bird diseases. He was the author of four books. Two on bird diseases and their treatment, an autobiography, and a history of the United States prison system from colonial times to the formation of the Bureau of Prisons. As time would reveal, Mr. Stroud gained a superior intelligence. He irritated the prison officials whenever he could, and they tolerated him. He entered prison in 1909 and never left. His life was portrayed in a movie called, “The Birdman of Alcatraz” starring the famous actor Mr. Burt Lancaster.
His life was controlled by a set of arbitrary and capricious rules. His mistakes were not forgiven. His advanced research and works were not appreciated. He was only a convict. His struggles to free himself were in vain! His best efforts to help himself were wasted at every turn. His life began to spiral out of control at the tender age of 19.
The outline of Mr. Robert F. Stroud’s life is real. He imagined himself being set free one day. This life could be anybody’s. Mistakes made early in life follow us all our days and we all make mistakes. Just in different degrees. We spiral our lives away from God so slowly. We all seek to be set free from our miserable state one day. Where is ‘our’ hope?
“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive”. 1 Corinthians 15:22
Robert F. Stroud in 1916 was sentenced to death by hanging, but his mother worked and campaigned against his death. An appeal to President Woodrow Wilson led to the commutation of Robert’s sentence to life of imprisonment, he never made parole. He cared for many birds but his favorite were sparrows. Right before his death in 1963 at 73 years old he was caring for a nest full of baby sparrows. Jesus said that God is aware of everything that happens even to the sparrows, and you are so valuable that God sent his only Son to die for you (John 3:16). Because God places such value on you, you need never fear personal threats or difficult tasks. These can’t shake God’s love or dislodge his Spirit from you. But this doesn’t mean that God will take away all your troubles (John 10:16). The real test of value is how well something holds up under the wear, tear, pressures, and abuse of everyday life. Those who stand up for Christ of their troubles truly have lasting value and will receive great rewards (John 5:11-12).
“And even the hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows”. Matthew 10:31
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