Below the Water Line

Gordon MacDonald tells the story of how the Brooklyn Bridge remains a major transportation artery in New York City today, because over 100 years ago, the chief engineer and his construction team did their most patient and daring work where no one could see it…on the foundations of the towers below the water line. It is one more illustration of an ageless principle in life: the work done below the water line will determine whether what we do will stand the test of time. Spiritually, this work is called worship, devotion and a variety of spiritual disciplines. It's done in quiet, where no one but God sees. Think about it. We may be blessed with great natural skills and charisma but remain vulnerable to a collapse in our character, our key relationships and our ministries if we’ve never learned that we can’t build above the water line until there is a substantial foundation below it. A re-read of the life of Moses is a great example of this. This man spent 80 years preparing for his more visible work. MacDonald goes on to say that the test of a person is less what we accomplish before 45 years of age and more what happens after. He calls it sustainability. The key is to last and grow stronger, wiser and more focused with the years. In Ephesians 2:19-20, Paul writes, “You are God’s people and members of His household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” Is your trust in your “foundation” strong enough to sustain you? Is what you’re building today, being built to last? Is Jesus Christ solidified as the immovable, primary cornerstone in your life?

Spiritual Spectators

A few years ago one of our boys ran on the youth cross-country team. Our family often went to the meets and noticed that the same thing happened at the end of every race. When the runners were finished, they’d gulp down water. Think for a minute of the funny looks I would have gotten if, as a spectator, I was standing there chugging the water. The runners were the ones who had been generating a thirst and naturally were thirstier than any spectator would’ve been. They had worked hard and deserved the refreshment. In life, when we’re only spectators, we quickly get out of shape and become lazy and complacent. In doing so, we don’t generate an intense appetite for food or a strong thirst for water within our bodies. It’s only when we have a true passion, a yearning, and a goal in mind that we will stretch ourselves, go the extra mile and become hungry and thirsty. We must simply choose to put on our running shoes and get out on the course. In a similar way, scripture exhorts us to crave the things of God. Peter writes, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation” (1 Peter 2:2). These words aren’t for spiritual spectators, they’re for participants. We are to desire and long for the things of God as intensely as a baby desires milk. To those of us with children, this is a vivid picture. I remember how unsettled and unsatisfied my boys were before they drank the milk and how peaceful and content they were afterward. Are we like this with the things of God? Are we even hungry for him, let alone crave him? A certain peace and contentment will always follow when we drink from his living water.

Three Hours of Fishing

A laid back, southern fisherman worked diligently from 5:00 to 8:00 every morning. After keeping some of his catch for his family, he then sold the remaining fish at the local market until 10:00am and had the rest of the day free to do whatever he pleased. A slick entrepreneur from the city went to the coast on vacation, spotted the fisherman and struck up a conversation. He encouraged him to hire two or three more guys so that more fish could be caught and more money could be made. The fisherman could then put them in charge and hire five to six more men to catch even more fish. Meanwhile, he could travel around and look for other markets to sell the bigger amount of fish they were catching. The city slicker said, “Each year you could double your manpower and within 5 years, you’d only have to work a couple of hours a day.” The country fisherman said with a sly smile and a slow drawl, “Sir, thanks for your concern, but I’m doing that already.” We often hear it said that “more is better” but let’s be careful with wanting more and more money. This temptation can quickly become an obsession. I’ve seen the love of money take over person’s lives and believe me, it can get ugly. Hebrews 13:5 says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have…” Contentment is the key. Remember too that more money also means more taxes, more fair-weather “friends” and many more decision-making responsibilities. Money is necessary, but when our “love of money” takes precedence over our “love of God,” it is sin. Today, are you content with what your three hours of fishing nets you?

51-0

Our perspective on the things that life throws us typically brings about one of two results…it’s either life-giving or life-draining. The way we choose look at life often determines whether we have joy or despair. It’s something like what Coach John McKay of USC said to his team after they had been humiliated 51-0 by Notre Dame. McKay came into the locker room and saw a group of beaten, worn-out and thoroughly depressed young football players who were not accustomed to losing. He stood up on a bench and said, "Men, let’s keep this in perspective. There are 800 million people in China who don’t even know this game was played." That’s what you call perspective! Coach McKay provided another way to look at a tough loss. In effect, he turned a potential pity party into a thought-provoking win-win scenario. Paul did a similar thing in Philippians 1:21 where he says, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” He was able to boldly say this because he didn't fear feath. Instead, he fully understood that his physical death was not an ending, but rather the beginning point of where true living begins! Today, what in your life is frustrating you? Where might you need to ask Him to help you change your perspective?

Jogger Shot in City Park

A while back I had some time off from my church responsibilities so I went with my wife to a conference she was attending. As she spent time during the day at her seminars and workshops, I explored every bookstore I could find and enjoyed the miles of walking trails that this city offered. When I told my wife what I had planned to do, she responded by reminding me to “…please be careful.” I smiled and playfully made a sarcastic remark. She smiled back and sincerely stated, “honey, I just want you to be safe.” One day then, after walking several miles, I stopped for lunch a nearby café. As I picked up the local paper, I got chills as I read the headline, ‘Jogger shot in city park.’ I instantly felt uneasy and vulnerable. Very quickly, my wife’s prophetic words echoed in my mind. I realized that she hadn’t been lecturing me, she simply wanted me to be safe in an unfamiliar place. I got the point! Ezekiel 34:23-31 speaks of things that will happen to ‘sheep’ who remain in the right pasture. They will have protection, provision, be blessed, be rescued, live in peace, and will be kept safe. None of these, however, are promised to those sheep who are enticed and wander away to reside in other pastures. In the unfamiliar places in our lives, let’s remember to do all we can to remain safe, alert and under the care of the right voices and the right shepherd.

The Unopened Door

A bride and groom spent their wedding night in the bridal suite of an elegant hotel. As usual, everything ran late and by the time they arrived, they were exhausted. Upon entering their luxurious suite, they were surprised to find only a sofa, some chairs and a table, but no bed. Fortunately, the sofa was a hide-a-bed, but like most it had saggy springs and a lumpy mattress. At that late hour, they were too tired to complain and thus spent a terrible night on a terrible excuse for a bed. Early the next morning, they marched down to the front desk and demanded an explanation for their dilemma. Listening calmly, the manager asked, "Did you open every door in the room?" After calming down themselves, they returned to their room and discovered that the door they assumed was a closet was, in fact, the way into a beautifully furnished bedroom, complete with a heart-shaped jacuzzi and complimentary flowers and chocolates. What they had desired was there all along, they simply had to choose to open the right door. The management had everything in place as promised, the couple just became too impatient and too demanding too quick. Let's be careful not to do the same with our Proprietor.

The Burning Hut

The only survivor of a shipwreck washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed and prayed for God to rescue him, but to no avail. He eventually built a little hut to sleep in and to protect him from the elements. One day after he was out looking for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened! He was angry and in disbelief. Later that day, however, he saw a ship approaching the island, coming to rescue him. With excitement he splashed out into the water to meet his rescuers and shouted out "How’d you know I was here?" They replied, "We saw your smoke signal."

It’s easy to get discouraged when tragedy strikes. But never lose heart or hope. Remember this... The next time your little hut is burning to the ground, it just may be the very thing that will rescue you! Scripture says, “Now, for a little while, you have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Christ is revealed.” (I Peter 1:6-7)