Hot Water
As I was reading this morning, I was trying to think of something clever to write about. I had several ideas that I was rolling around (at least they were 'clever' in my mind). I was thinking and praying about several things as I reviewed our Sunday School lesson. I generally don't try to come up with something to write, but when an idea is there I try to jot down notes and put my insights into words, more for me than for anyone else.
As I was beginning to write, Gena came down and told me that there was no hot water this morning. I looked at the water heater (a new one) and had no idea how to fix it. My first thought was "How can we get through the day with no hot water? How will we be able to get to church? How can we exercise without the ability to shower afterwards? How can I shave with cold water?" (Shaving with cold water is perhaps the most challenging.)
Then I ran across a 'tweet' from Bethany Jones, a young church member who left this week for a year-long commitment to live in Swaziland, Africa. She had arrived safely and was facing the struggles of living in a 'third-world' country. I also looked at a blog written by my brother- and sister-in-law who are travelling to Southeast Asia next month to evaluate their call to the mission field. A couple our church helps sponsor also came to mind. They are in Indonesia, faced with uncertainty daily. I realized that I am sitting here with all of the comforts I could imagine, worrying about a minor inconvenience. I realized how pampered and spoiled I am.
I was brought back to a comment my mother made last summer when I complained about my leg hurting. She said, "At least you haven't been crucified". At the time, I was offended at the lack of pity she was showing me. But now I realize that I have not been called to be lazy. I have not been called to a comfortable lifestyle. I have not been called to take it easy. I have been called to be a warrior. I have been called to obedience. I have been called to follow. I have been called to a deeper sense of worship through prayer, fasting, and living in His Will. Maybe He simply wants my cold shower to help me be more invigorated for worship today.
As I was beginning to write, Gena came down and told me that there was no hot water this morning. I looked at the water heater (a new one) and had no idea how to fix it. My first thought was "How can we get through the day with no hot water? How will we be able to get to church? How can we exercise without the ability to shower afterwards? How can I shave with cold water?" (Shaving with cold water is perhaps the most challenging.)
Then I ran across a 'tweet' from Bethany Jones, a young church member who left this week for a year-long commitment to live in Swaziland, Africa. She had arrived safely and was facing the struggles of living in a 'third-world' country. I also looked at a blog written by my brother- and sister-in-law who are travelling to Southeast Asia next month to evaluate their call to the mission field. A couple our church helps sponsor also came to mind. They are in Indonesia, faced with uncertainty daily. I realized that I am sitting here with all of the comforts I could imagine, worrying about a minor inconvenience. I realized how pampered and spoiled I am.
I was brought back to a comment my mother made last summer when I complained about my leg hurting. She said, "At least you haven't been crucified". At the time, I was offended at the lack of pity she was showing me. But now I realize that I have not been called to be lazy. I have not been called to a comfortable lifestyle. I have not been called to take it easy. I have been called to be a warrior. I have been called to obedience. I have been called to follow. I have been called to a deeper sense of worship through prayer, fasting, and living in His Will. Maybe He simply wants my cold shower to help me be more invigorated for worship today.
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