Here I sit before You, Father, humble, submissive, repentant. Do with me as You will. Use me as You will. Strengthen me to be the man You want me to be. Refine me that I may bring You glory.
James 3:11-12 (<<click here)
Lord, I realize that James here is driving home his concerns about the tongue but I also know it can be applied on other fronts as well. When we first moved into this home 25+ years ago, our only source of water was a well. It was a very good well- a little irony in its flavor – but a very good well. Initially, it had to be purified by pouring bleach in it to kill any bacteria that had developed when it was out of use then we had to flush out all the lines in the house. In doing so we were good to go – clear, fresh, cold water was at our disposal.
But things still came up. On our spigots we have aerators and over a period of time, bits of iron and other mineral deposits would collect. Periodically we’d have to clean them out to ensure a continued good flow.
That’s me… “Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh and bitter water?” Well, when it comes to my heart the answer on occasion is “yes.” Springs of living water “bubble out” every day but more often than I’d like to admit, things that are not good or beneficial come out and my “aerator” needs cleaning. I have to allow You, Lord, to clean my aerators. I have to repent and seek Your forgiveness so that once again Your springs of living water flow unrestricted.
Drinking at the springs of living water,
Happy now am I,
My soul they satisfy;
Drinking at the springs of living water,
O wonderful and bountiful supply! – John W. Peterson
Sept 12th, Mon, 6:40 am
