Does someone need watering?



      It's dead! With the flag sticking out of it, you'd think it died an honorable death...but it didn't. It died from lack of water. You would expect that kind of death for a plant growing in the desert, a barren and dry place, but this one died right here on my front porch just steps away from the end of a hose. It's hanging in a place I walk by every day. How could I not see it turn brown and wither from neglect? If I had only noticed it in time, maybe I could have saved it. I can't help but wonder how long it's been hanging there in need of a burial. The flag poking up out of the dry ground is a clue...could it have been that way since the fourth of July? That's a little embarrassing!

      It reminded me of something that happened at church. I realized I hadn't seen someone for quite a while, and then found out they weren't attending there anymore. How long had it been since I saw them? I couldn't remember. In a way, the same thing that happened to my plant can happen to people in the church. We pass by each other every Sunday as we come and go, we sit by people regularly in church service or at Bible study, without even noticing they look a little dry or withered emotionally. Instead of water, maybe they're in need of a hug or thirsty for encouragement. Maybe they're hurting or lonely and need someone to notice and pour a few refreshing drops of love into their lives. It could mean the difference between them growing healthy in the body of Christ or withering away - alone.

      All I had to do to keep my plant from dying was notice it and give it a little water now and then. It's really not that much different with people is it? All we need to do is notice each other and pour a little love into one another's lives now and then. We don't even have to get the hose, because God has given us a spring of living water through His Son Jesus Christ, and the only thing we have to do is reach out and share it. Is there anyone in your life who could use a little water? When we go to church, or anywhere for that matter, let's look around and notice if the people we pass by or sit next to are looking a little dry. If they are, let's pour some love out on them. If you can't tell whether they need it...sprinkle them anyway. I think in this case, it's better to over water!

And above all things have fervent love for one another,

for "love will cover a multitude of sins."

1Peter 4:8

What Time Is It?

For we are His workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus for good works,

which God prepared beforehand

that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

      Once in awhile I ask myself this question, "What time is it?" I don't mean what time does the clock say it is, I mean according to God's great timeline, what time is it? Today history is being made and people will read about it sometime in the future. What will history books say about this time? What is God doing now...today?

      I think He is calling His people to Himself...to seek Him; to pray. To turn from the things that distract us in the world, and from sin. For some, those distractions come from a life of abundance, for others it's the lack of it, and for many it's the cares of this world. Is something distracting you today?

      The things that distract me are usually very small, but in large amounts; those little things that pile up and become in my perspective like the sand on the seashore, under every step I take. They slow me down and cause much of my labor to be in vain. Have you ever tried moving fast (or for very long) on sand?

      But God's timeline isn't drawn across the sand, it's drawn across time. The only sand that really matters are those grains falling from the hourglass of time. He sees the beginning and the end, because He drew the line and planned everything inbetween. We've been placed here for a special purpose...His purpose. Strategically placed in today. Why? Well, the bible says to do the good works He prepared beforehand - that we should walk in them.

      He chose the past and the future for someone else, His gift to us is today. This is our spot on the timeline, what history will we write with our lives? Will we do the good works He prepared for us to do? As I ask these questions, the ears of my own heart are opened and attentive to hear my lip's reply. To answer the call of God to draw closer to Him, and to do what He has planned for me while it is still today.

"What time is it?"  - The time is Now!