Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Sponges

I have been thinking a lot about a word picture God gave me. It seems that is how He most often speaks to me, through dreams and word pictures. It is amazing how the most mundane things can take on a spiritual meaning when an interpretation is given.

I saw a sponge in my mind. It was first immersed in clean, soapy water. Then it was gently placed on the counter. People came by and poked it- hard. When they did, it leaked some of that clean, soapy water all over the place. Later, someone came over and pressed it flat, and all the clean soapy water came running out.

The same scene was repeated, more or less, expect in the second vision the sponge had been soaking in muddy, dirty, nastiness. And, sure enough, when is was poked, and later pressed, out came dirt, filth, grime. It polluted and dirtied up everything it came into contact with, and made a great big mess.

Then the interpretation: We are sponges. Whatever we soak up is what comes out of us. If we soak in the Word of God, prayer, praise and worship, out comes patience, kindness, love, the fruit of a Spirit saturated life.

If, on the other hand, we soak up sin, cruddy music and television shows, fleshy pursuits, well, that's more or less what comes out when we are under pressure. When we get frustrated, we will likely lose our temper, say harsh, unkind words, and sin.

It is important to pay attention to what we are soaking in. The Bible tells us exactly where our minds should dwell.

It reminds me of a quote by one of my favorite authors, Amy Carmichael, in her lovely little book If, which I strongly recommend you all get a copy of and read. She says, "A cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, however suddenly jolted."

May I encourage you to give a little thought this week to what you are soaking in, and to take things one step further, what your precious children are soaking in?

2 comments:

  1. Love this--the idea of pressure revealing what we have soaked up. Wow!

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  2. True words! We SO need quiet and peace to soak up all HIS goodness!

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