Wasting Time on Death Row
Theme for the Week: Mind Food
Charles Colson
Friday, November 2, 2001
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom (Psalm 90:12).
Bonus Reading: Ephesians 5:15-17
When I visited Mississippi's Parchman Prison, most of the death row inmates were in their bunks wrapped in blankets, staring blankly at little black-and-white TV screens, killing time.
But in one cell a man sat on his bunk, reading. As I approached, he looked up and showed me his bookan instruction manual on Episcopal liturgy.
His name was John Irving. On death row for more than 15 years, he was studying for the priesthood. John told me he was allowed out of his cell one hour each day. The rest of the time, he studiedpreparing to meet Christ or to serve Him here.
Seeing that John had nothing in his cell but a few books, I thought, God's blessed me so much, the least I can do is provide something for this brother. "Would you like a TV if I could arrange it?" I asked.
John smiled gratefully. "Thanks," he said, "but no thanks. You can waste an awful lot of time with those things."
For the 15 years since a judge placed a number on his days, John has determined not to waste the one commodity he had to give to the Lordhis time.
Charles Colson in A Dangerous Grace My Response:
Since my days are also numbered, I want to spend them .
Thought to Apply:
You cannot be a fat sprinter. If you want to sprint to the Kingdom, you had better be lean.
Henri Nouwen (theologian, 20th century)
Adapted from: A Dangerous Grace (Word, 1994) with permission.
Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today, Inc./Men of Integrity magazine.
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Forgive me, Lord, for loving the world too much. Set my affections on You and help me to recognize and resist the temptations of television.
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