In the lesson of the slow draining tub, we see how a slow draining tub can
affect your day. Being on the road for 16 days, we slept in 14 different beds,
and showered in as many showers. But one nice place we stayed had a tub that
didn’t drain as fast as the shower tried to fill it. Something you don’t
notice, because tubs are made to drain, and you only notice if you look down and
they aren’t. But as this tub didn’t drain as fast as it should, soon the water
went over the top of my feet. Then to my ankle, stepping back to a higher place
in the tub, it continued to fill, until I turned off the water and got out.
Watching it drain slowly I was reminded of how sin is like that, we don’t see
what sin we are in, slowly it begins to overtake us, we step back trying to
avoid it, but it doesn’t stop until we turn it off and get out of the tub of
sin. We complain about the water rising, but do we address the problem, the
drain that is faulty? How many times have you stood in water rising and not
done anything about it? How many times has sin entered into your life, and as
you saw it grow and engulf you fail to pull the plug? The cause was there all
the time, so was the cure. Sin in our lives is like that too, and we have a
plug named Jesus to call on 24/7.
Some sin starts slow like a slow running drain, we’ll get around to dealing
with it later, but later gets here sooner than we expect, and soon we need to
call the plumber. Pay the high cost of his service, and hear him say “you know
this didn’t have to happen, all you needed to do was add some drain cleaner when
it started running slow....” As we nod our head and agree, until it happens
again. When working for Mercedes Benz the cost of maintenance was high, it
could be very expensive. I would explain that they were thoroughbreds, and
thoroughbreds like to eat the good stuff, but the rewards were worth it. But if
you thought maintenance was expensive, neglect it and see how high repairs
were. That could have been prevented, if only we took care of the car.
New cars are pretty reliable, and we do services instead of tune ups.
Which includes inspections, which can spot a problem before it occurs. It works
on cars and motorcycles, it also does in life. Little scratchy patches of skin
can turn into skin cancer. A cough may turn into the flu. A slow drain may
turn into overflowing, and a little yeast, a Bible synonym for sin can go
through the whole loaf. No one sets out to be a drug addict or alcoholic, but
if you don’t drink or do drugs you never will be. Same with other sins, and
Paul addressed this to the Corinthians. Blessed abundantly, but living in sin,
he told them to stop and turn to God. Not stop or die, but repent, for the one
who has saved you, Jesus Christ has also cleansed you, and will cleanse you
again. STOP! No programs, processes, procedures, classes to attend or books to
buy. One step, repent, and get on with your life. Before the water covers you
up and you are drowning in sin.
God has given us his spirit to know when things are wrong, yet leaves us
with the decision of how to handle the situation. Say yes to Jesus, no to sin,
just saying no is not the answer. We need to be forgiven and rescued, that
takes Jesus. Yet some will drive another car when one breaks down, or use
another shower, but the problems do not fix themselves, as the same patterns
continue. Until you face what you are doing is wrong, you will not see it as
sin, and will not deal with it. What drain in your life is stopped up? And
what are you doing about it?
Doing the same thing but expecting a different result is the definition of
insanity. Sin will drive you crazy, slowly and surely, and can leave scars.
Pull the plug now, do a self inspection, honestly ask God “where am I weak? How
can you help me?” And turn to him, and away from your sin. Feel a freedom that
surpasses words, or.....you can go on telling yourself “I’ll deal with it when
it reaches my ankles, then my knees, then,,,” it’s too late. If sin is draining
you slowly, call the repairman now, Jesus. Take his advice, turn from sin and
to him, and enjoy the shower once again. Enjoy driving the car again. Enjoy
the freedom of being sin free again. God created us as unique thoroughbreds who
like to eat to good stuff. Who better to take care of you than the one who
created you. Who leaves you with an owners manual, and a 24 hour number to call
when needed. But good advice, Godly advice, only works if taken, and Jesus is
good advice, the gospel good news. And enjoy being clean, after all, that is
why you take a shower isn’t it, to get clean?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com