I believe that most Christians would like to be more effective for the Lord.
I also believe that most Christians struggle with becoming more effective, primarily because we tend to segregate our faith moments (such as going to church or having a time of personal prayer) from the rest of our daily living.
We can do better in this regard, I believe.
It’s not about having the Bible rote-memorized for ready pontification in the break room or school lunchroom.
Instead, it’s about sharing selected bedrock beliefs at spiritually strategic moments when we perceive an unchurched person’s thirstiness for enduring, refreshing truth.
It’s about being a fountain that waters the thirsty.
Check out the following verse from today’s reading in the One-Year Bible:
“A fountain will flow out of the LORD’s house and will water the valley of acacias” (Joel 3:18).
The specific context of this prophecy is Christ’s Second Coming, also known as the Day of the Lord. When the Lord sets up His new eternal kingdom, the perfect and endless fountain of Living Water will refresh all of the redeemed and bring life to the “valley of acacias.”
That valley was also known in Bible days as the valley of Shittim. It was part of a pagan land through which Israel passed just before they crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land.
The symbolism says much to me regarding our collective mission now.
As Christians, we have gained access to the endless fountain of God’s love, God’s grace and God’s Truth. And we are to water the “valley of acacias” in each of our lives while we await our entrance into the Promised Land of eternity.
I’m not talking about providing complicated speeches and intricate expositions on apocalyptic timetables. Instead, I’m talking about sharing simple “cups of cold water” with emotionally, socially thirsty people in spiritually dry lands at work or school or in the neighborhood.
Please don’t be a “check the box” Christian who quotes John 3:16 once to somebody and feels satisfied with faithfulness.
Keep the water flowing. Keep helping. Keep encouraging. Keep forgiving. Keep inviting. Keep speaking.
People in your valley of acacias will be a bit less thirsty as a result. Some might even choose to drink from the same fountain as you.
As always, I love you
Martin
THE MESSAGE WAS INSIGHTFUL AND INSPIRATIONAL HOPE TO HEAR MORE FROM YOU