“As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.” 1 John 2:24
“My pool has cloudy junk in it,” my neighbor was telling me. As he talked, I immediately felt horrible because, before Rick went out of town 2 weeks ago, he had asked me to put chlorine in his pool… which I had! But apparently… not enough. What I heard was “apply chlorine!” What the job ACTUALLY required was ‘pool maintenance,’ and algae had formed as the evidence of my failure!
It’s not like I don’t know what to do. I too have a pool and for almost 33 years I have maintained my own body of water. I remembered once asking a neighbor to do what Rick had asked of me. When I came back from vacation, my pool was emerald green! I learned then that ‘pool maintenance’ is like mixing cement or baking. The ‘Good-job’ proof is only found in the end product.
When I had applied the chlorine to Rick’s pool the last time, a little flare went up. Something just didn’t look right. But it’s not MY pool, so I don’t really know what it’s SUPPOSED to look like. Just for kicks though, I threw in a little extra chlorine and called it done! Then, the weather got warm and it rained… 2 conditions that can easily spell trouble for any pool owner. Even MY pool turned ugly!
People are like pools… everyone is different. Size, as well as what other elements are in the water, determines what needs to be done to maintain a pool’s ‘crystal clear’ look that everyone, ESPECIALLY the OWNER, likes to see. Today’s verse was God’s reminder that my life is in continual need of spiritual maintenance, and that while He is my owner, it is up to ME to make sure it gets done!
In the Church I have learned that one of the expectations God has of His followers is to follow! Doing what He says in His Word moves followers to the next step, which is to help faithful followers learn how to encourage others to follow as well! It’s a tough task because all an encourager can do is encourage! Each follower must take any encouragement to heart and apply what needs to be done.
I feel bad I messed up on the maintenance of my neighbor’s pool, even though I know he doesn’t blame me. But that doesn’t make me feel better. It actually makes me want to be more vigilant and faithful the next time he asks.
Are YOU faithful to God in what He asks of you? Has He prompted YOU to be an encourager to another follower? Are you faithful when He asks? Do you use apparent failure as a tool to get better at following rather than to give up? What is God asking of YOU today?
