The Well
The Well |
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Connecting Hope to the Hurting | |
Tuesday
March 11, 2008
I know, I know...yesterday wasn't St. Patrick's
day...I give up! Please forgive me.
In His Hope,
Sharon
Then Joshua told the people, "Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will
do great wonders among you."
In the morning Joshua said to the priests, "Lift
up the Ark of the Covenant and lead the people across the river." And so they
started out…
Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Lord's
covenant stood on dry ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed
by them. They waited there until everyone had crossed the Jordan on dry ground.
Joshua 3:5-6, 17
What exactly does the Lord mean when He instructs His people to "purify" themselves? From the scriptures I looked up it means to get all cleaned up and ready, but I think it doesn't just mean physically ¾ I think it means to empty ourselves of any false expectations and be ready to follow.
In Psalm 51:10, David cried out to the Lord, "Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me." God wants us to have a clean heart, in other words, He wants us to have a humble, teachable spirit in order for Him to direct our paths. At times that may mean that we are to simply stand still and watch others pass by us.
When the Lord told me to step in the water, using this very scripture, over two years ago I didn't notice the part about standing still. However, in retrospect, I see that is exactly what He had me do. I have watched as those we have ministered to and prayed for go on to do greater things. I didn't get jealous or anything, I just wondered what in the world the Lord was up to! Now, I am beginning to understand.
The ministry of encouragement is often very lonely. People come to you when they are in pain and need someone to listen to them and pray for them, but when things start getting better for them – they often forget you. That used to bother me. Then God purified my heart. He let me see that my motives weren't exactly perfect – I ministered to people because I wanted them to love me – not Him! Well, that was eight years ago. Once He brought me through the wilderness all of that "neediness" for acceptance and love began to diminish ¾ slowly, very slowly.
So, let me encourage you today. If God has called you to the ministry of encouragement or mercy you may be told to step into the water and watch God perform miracles while other people pass you by. That's okay, remember, eventually they get out of the water too!
Father, I thank You and praise You for how deep Your Word goes. I am amazed that meanings are often hidden from us until we are ready to receive something new from You. I thank You that You don't force these teachings on us until we are ready to receive them. Thank You for allowing me to lift You up and allow people to see You and press on to the other side!
