Soak It In
Do you ever feel like an old, dried out sponge…hard, a bit crusty, and worn around the edges? Not only is a dried out sponge ineffective, it isn’t even ready for use! It takes a good amount of water and effort to soften up the fibers and return it to a point of usefulness.
First Timothy 4:6 states that a good servant of Christ Jesus is constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of sound doctrine. In Greek, the phrase constantly nourished means “to educate, form the mind.” It is not an uncommon analogy to hear our brains likened to sponges. When we are little, everything is new. We observe our surroundings through all of our senses as we begin to try and understand the world we live in. So it is when we begin our journey with the Lord. We are drawn to Him with a childlike faith and described as newborn babies.
“…and like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” (1 Peter 2:2)
As we read Scripture, we begin to understand our own sinful nature as well as the broken, sinful world we live in, and that He calls us to live a different way that is marked by self-sacrificial love and the fruit of His Spirit.
What we expose ourselves to and where we focus our attention matters, and that means making a conscious choice to take control of our mind. Romans 12:2 says, “…do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Once we have made the choice to educate and transform our mind, we need to fill it with the right things. Philippians 4:8 tells us we are to fill our mind with “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.” The one source where we can find all of this is God’s Word. The next verse (Philippians 4:9) says, “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen (emphasis added) in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.” The words I put in bold reminded me of a sponge. We need to spend time soaking in His word. Jesus is the fountain of living water (Jeremiah 2:13), and the only answer for our parched and thirsty souls. Not only do we need to be soaking in His word, it must be a continual process, to the point of saturation. Why? Because the Lord wants to use us! He wants us to share the gospel message and be conduits of His grace. We must always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks us the reason for our hope (1 Peter 3:15.)
We are surrounded by people who may not understand or share our faith, but they are intently observing us. Being a Christian does not make us immune to the pressures and trials of life. It is in those times of testing that our character pours forth. Do our actions and reactions to the complexities of life match the faith we profess to possess?
When the trials of life wring us like a sponge, what comes out?
Is our speech harsh and critical, or gentle and seasoned with grace? (Titus 3:2; Colossians 4:6)
Do we physically lash out, or exhibit self-control? (2 Peter 1:5-8)
Are our attitudes angry and negative, or full of joy and hope? (John 15:11; Psalm 146:5)
Do we live in fear and anxiety, or walk with confidence? (Psalm 27:3; Phil. 1:6)
Do we emotionally shut down and drift through life, or do we maintain focus and press on with the work He has given us? (Matthew 20:6; Phil. 3:14)
Can our lives be characterized by the fruit of the Spirit? (Galatians 5:22-23)
“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Romans 12:1
“For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.” 1 Peter 2:21
As we abide in Him, saturating our hearts with His truth and love, we become more effective and useful servants in accomplishing the work He has set before us.
As life squeezes us, may we pour forth His Spirit.
