"Watering Our Plants"

There’s a cute little children’s rhyme which reads;

"We gave you a chance
To water the plants.
We didn’t mean THAT WAY -
Now zip up your pants!"

I couldn’t help but think of Miriam when reading that poem. Now, I can assure you that she doesn’t attempt to water our plants that way. But lately, she has been helping me water our outdoor plants and garden. It has become a daily routine of ours. Each evening, after dinner, we go outside to play and then water all of the plants before going in to take a bath and get ready for bed. She looks forward to it, as do I.
We take so much time and care of our plants. We make sure they are properly watered, fertilized and pruned. We want them to look beautiful! In many ways they are a reflection of the beauty and wonder of life. But I can’t help but wonder, do we devote as much time, and energy and care to our spiritual lives? Sadly, many of us fail to water, fertilize and prune the spiritual plants of our lives and even the church. The season of Pentecost is a reminder that we are God’s plants. Through baptism God has transplanted us into the rich soil of his love and grace, word and Spirit.
The Bible reminds us, that God is Spirit and we are created spiritual beings. We were created for Spirit-to-spirit union and communication. Our spirit can be infused and empowered by God’s Spirit. Jesus said; "The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him" (John 4:23). The Greek word for "worshipers" here is proskunetai, which comes from proskuneo, meaning "to bow the knee" or "to prostrate oneself in total openness." It is only through this act that we can become the channel through which the Spirit freely flows.
Water is essential for survival and for growth. As we have seen lately, our lawns are becoming dry and brown, our beloved plants and flowers are withering and dying, and the pollen count is extremely high all because of a lack of precipitation. The same applies to our spiritual lives. Without the Living Water of God’s Spirit, we become dry and dead.
I once heard of a teacher in a missionary school for boys in India who was well known for his faith, even in the most trying circumstances. He was often asked where he got his faith. He always replied, somewhat cryptically, "It grows in my garden." One day a group of his students showed up at his house and demanded to see that famous garden where such amazing faith grew. The teacher led them through his house, out the back door, and into a narrow, cheerless enclosure. When the students expressed disappointment in its lack of beauty and character, the teacher replied; "No, it is not very long nor very wide. But," he added as he lifted his eyes heavenward, "it is very, very tall." Such faith comes when we allow our lives to grow heavenward.
I heard a wonderful analogy by Dr. Adrian Rogers this past week. He commented that there are two kinds of Christians - those who are like a cable car and those who are like an automobile. He said, "Cable cars are always connected to the source. Their arms are extended to the cable, which gives them the power to run. They never loose their power, as long as they remain connected to their source of energy - the cable. The automobile, however, has a tank. It must be filled with gas in order for it to run and, in time, the gas will run low and eventually the tank will become empty, and it must be filled again." There are Christians who come to church weekly, or occasionally to get their fill. Oftentimes, running to the point of becoming empty or working off of fumes. But then there are those who remain forever connected to the cable - the source of their power, strength and energy - the Holy Spirit! They spend time daily in fellowship and communion with the Spirit.
I have been reading a devotional written by Carlee Hallman titled; Abide with Me, that Steve Stump gave to me awhile back. I have thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful prayers dealing with various circumstances found in this book. I want to share with you one of the prayers:

"O Lord, I was so busy
getting things done
that I ran out of gas.
Why, do I still need to be reminded
that I can’t run on empty?
You stop me.
Then I remember
that I need to fill up
in your presence
every day to keep going.
Thank you, once again,
for coming to my rescue
by being there."

In John Updike’s novel, A Month of Sundays, there is a reflection from one character about his youthful experience of the church, in which he says; "Churches bore for me the relation to God that billboards did to Coca-Cola; they promoted thirst but did nothing to quench it." The Holy Spirit empowers the church to be thirst quenchers. Just as Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit on the disciples following his resurrection, so we are to breathe the Holy Spirit on others. But we have been holding our breath for too long. It is time for the CHURCH to exhale! It is time for EDGEMONT to exhale! It is time for YOU and ME to exhale! As the Spirit of God flows into us, it also ought to flow from us. And so, let us allow the season of Pentecost to be a reminder to tap into the source of our energy, strength and growth. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to water, fertilize and prune our lives so that we might produce fruit for God’s kingdom. St. Basil once wrote; "Just as transparent substances, when subjected to light, themselves glitter and give off light, so does the soul, illuminated by the Holy Spirit, give light to others and itself becomes spiritual."