FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART
Are we Splashing in Mud Puddles or Swimming in a Sea of Living Waters?
During the devotional for a deacons meeting, we were challenged with the following illustration from Beth Moore:
A few months ago I was taking my usual route on my morning walk when I came upon a simple scene with telling application. Four ducks were splashing in a mud puddle in the sidewalk while a large, pristine pond was just over a small hill. I stopped in my tracks and stared. I felt like God was saying to me, “Beth, that’s my church. My blood-bought, Spirit-promised church splashing in a mud puddle with a sea of living waters within her reach. Just on the other side.
That devotion brought many of us to our knees. What are we doing?
The dialogue continued in the following email:
Good morning! I feel like I am getting a bit of the mud off of me from the Deacon’s meeting. Hope you feel the same.
I realize that there will always be differences of opinions amongst church members. However, what if? What if the hour we spent on an issue that has already been addressed had been used to feed the hungry, visit the widow, or minister to the lost? What if we had spent that time in prayer or bible study? How many of those hours do we as a church let slip by? It breaks my heart.
I am so determined not to be a duck swimming in the mud puddle. Granted, there will be muddy moments along the way. But, I pray for myself, our church, and for you as our Pastor to see through God’s eyes. See the hurting and lost people. Hurt for what breaks God’s heart and prioritize our time accordingly.
I just needed to share and let you know that I believe God has a great plan for our church if we stop being our own worst enemies. Stop being divided by worship style, age, etc… I pray that we each can appreciate a ministry even if we do not feel called to be a part of it.
There is a big body of living waters that we can be “swimming in.” Will we spend the necessary energy getting out of the mud puddle and swim in living waters, or will we pass and settle for splashing in the mud? That is the question.
A big thanks to Tammy Jewell for the devotion and permission to print this personal correspondence!
See you at “the Sunday morning place to be”…swimming in Living waters!
Pastor John