I asked my friend, Matt Black if I could re-post his reflection on a recent conversation with an inmate at Northpoint Training Center, a medium-security prison in Burgin, Kentucky. This was from an experience in July, before the recent riots, which have put Matt and his team’s future scheduled visits in question.
Matt is an amazing songwriter, worship pastor, and occasional blogger! I hope you’ll find out more about him and that you’re encouraged by his story.
I’ve asked Matt to check back, so if you want to react or interact with him, please do so in the comments below.
:: From Matt Black, July 2009 ::
I had the opportunity for 20 minutes or so to talk with an inmate at Northpoint Training Center on Sunday evening. One of the greatest blessings I’ve received from spending time with these guys is gleaning from their wisdom and perspective on life. He and I spoke on a number of important life topics in that short time, but one of the main things that stuck with me was his observation on how people on the outside waste time. He’s so right. We waste time like it’s an unlimited commodity, like water from the faucet.
This resident never expected to be in prison, but now that he’s there he feels like most of his time is being thrown away. There is opportunity for some growth and development there, but his important relationships — his wife, kids, and family — aren’t present with him. This time away is time he can’t get back.
Since we truly don’t know what tomorrow holds, his advice for those of us past the razor wire is to not take the days for granted. He encouraged me to invest in relationships (especially with my wife and daughter) rather than in things or extra time at work, and to choose the way I spend my time away wisely. This is a lesson I’ve heard before for sure, but hearing it from someone who’s had so many freedoms taken away gives it more weight.
I’m sad to say that even after this conversation I’ve still struggled with living out this truth this week, but it’s my hope through sharing this, that we all might be reminded and notice more often when we leave the water running.
In blessed fellowship,
mb
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
So true ,what I experienced today was those w/wasted time.They
HAD no desire to be used of God to encourage,pray ,say hey I care,I love you, I know GOD is greater than this mess.I am still speechless now that Followers of Christ were SO busy and COLD today.Tomorrow maybe too late.And they are outside the Razor wire .only But they GRACE of GOD.Jacob P is teaching the BEST sessions On How the church needs to Love,best lessons
I have ever heard.IT has made me think & check my Life and HOW do I love the Hurting.
Thanks for sharing Matt.
At an early age, I was faced with the hard realization of losing someone very close in my life, my dad. I know all too well the feeling of valuing the time we had and treasuring those moments I got to spend with him and wishing I could have had “just a little more time” that will never come.
What saddens me is that even though I know the reality of the “missed moments” with someone, I find that I fail at embracing the “here and now moments” I have with the people I love and the people I encounter in my day to day, all because of busying myself with what ultimately does not matter.
I have left the water running today. I am turning it off and sitting down to embrace the “here and now” with my 4 precious little ones.