What I’m Learning in Prison…

What I’m learning in prison: 

I mentioned in my last post in the FATC FORUM that I’m investigating whether to get involved in prison ministry. There’s a process to do this. It involves not only official paperwork and clearances, but also a series of ministry visits to help ensure that you know what the prison visits and ministry are all about. If you want to know more about this ministry, contact me or visit http://www.mamertine.org or contact Will Cook, the Executive Director. By the way, fellow FATC guys, Steve Darr, Will Black and Rick Miller are also part of the ministry.

Even after just two visits, I feel like I’m learning a lot — and I’m not talking about prison procedures or how to make a shiv. I’m talking about people and also about how God works. I can already see that I have much in common with the Christ followers I’ve met in prison. We may have very different stories, backgrounds and upbringing. We may have had different opportunities. We have both made some good choices, but also some bad choices in life. Based on the choices, the consequences were sometimes more grave than others.

I’m not sure where I heard this quote, but I think it applies here: “For two men lost and dying in the desert, it’s of little difference how they got there. The immediate problem is water.”

Ultimately, where we spend eternity is the real core issue. Whether I live in Wildwood, Hollywood or the state prison in Pacific, Missouri; in essence, I’m a man lost and dying in the desert. And I need the life-giving water that God provides through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Just as the old saying goes, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink”, so to it is with men. For many of us, me included, God was gracious enough to let my life fall apart. I don’t believe God caused that, but out of tough love, he allowed my incredibly poor choices to run their course. It wasn’t until I hit rock bottom — until my dying day in the desert that I responded to His call. For some men it takes the slamming of a prison door behind them, for others like me it takes a divorce decree.

Thank God that at the time of our greatest need, God doesn’t turn his back on us. Instead, He arrives at just the right moment with a cool drink of life-saving water and a hand up. The sad thing is that some men either don’t recognize the life-saving water or they refuse to drink it — choosing to perish instead.

I was wondering do you sometimes feel you are lost in the desert? Do you thirst for life and for purpose and meaning? I used to be a dead man walking, but not anymore. Let me know if you would like to talk about this subject and also please share on the FATC FORUM what’s on your mind. Remember…It isn’t just about the fly fishing.

John Muckerman

FATC Inspirational and Leadership Lead