Presenting ...
... a weekly letter of encouragement.
1 October, 1997 - Singapore
Good Morning!
ARE YOU SHOWERING OR SOAKING?
Sam is a high-geared executive with a multi-national corporation
who is routinely engaged in analysis, problem solving and decision-making.
Recently I sat down with Sam and asked him to share his observations
from a passage of Scripture. In seconds he grasped the essence
of the section and in crisp fashion spewed his assessment back
to me. His analysis was correct, but seemed cold...lacking in
heart. "What's next!?" came his
inquiry.
"K-N-O-W-I-N-G God," is what I
felt like answering.
SAM KNOWS THE BIBLE, BUT DOES HE K-N-O-W
GOD?
Like Sam, most of us approach the Scriptures with all the depth
of taking a shower. That is, we splash under the water, rub
on some soap, rinse off, and are out of there!
By way of contrast, soaking in a bath tub is considerably
slower and more deliberate. You choose to lie there,
relax, and allow the hot water and bath oil to penetrate the
skin, and open the pores. You soak. But
it takes time. When you finally do step out of the
tub your body is soft and mellow.
Sam needs to learn how to soak in the Scriptures.
For example, in Matthew 18:3,4 Jesus said, "...Unless
you change and become like little children, you will never enter
the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like
this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
If Sam were "soaking" on this passage, his
thoughts might run something like this: He would picture
Jesus' gentle and relaxed manner with children as they climbed
up on to His lap. Perhaps he would realize how he tends to dismiss
little children and their world as "irrelevant."
As Sam pondered the scene, his mind might flash back to the sophisticated
and self-assured people in his business world. Then he would
visualize the innocent and unaffected children gathered around
Jesus. Doubtless he would be struck by the contrast between
his world and theirs.
Almost without realizing it, he could find himself praying,
"God, forgive me for being so unlike Christ. I need
to exhibit Jesus' quality of gentleness with children, by being
gentle with the people in my office. I need to take more un-rushed
time with my own children. In the crush of corporate life, I
have lost much of my childlike innocence. Father forgive me
for my stiffness, and air of self-importance."
THAT IS SOAKING ON THE SCRIPTURES!
So my QUESTION is: "Are you SHOWERING
or SOAKING when it comes to the Scriptures?"
My prayer is that you are having a great week!
Dwight Hill
- 1 Coleman Street #02-34
The Adelphi - Singapore 0617 .
- Phone: 337 6498; Fax: 336 9913
(c) Copyright 1996 Dwight Hill. Unlimited permission to copy or use is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.
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