John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." NIV
(Why are shower experiences so powerful to me ((see The Unreliable Shower))?)
It was our last morning in Newfoundland. We were in a campground 23 kilometers
from Port-aux-Basques (this is where we take the ferry back to the main land),
and I awoke feeling refreshed and-ah-a bit smelly! A shower was DEFINITELY in
the plan for the morning-that is if I wanted my family to associate with me!
As I prepared myself for the experience, I suddenly remembered that the
campground we were staying at only offered coin-operated showers. Ugh. I had
always avoided those in the past. But one more "sniff", and I knew this would
have to be the first!
It only took a few moments for me to adjust the water temperature, once I had
inserted the coin. Beautiful! A hot shower can feel sooooo good! I rubbed the
shampoo into my hair and soaped up the rest of my body. But just as I was
getting ready to rinse myself off, the shower stopped from running! Now what?
For the briefest of moments, I could see myself, completely covered with suds,
running back to the tent trailer for more money. I could hear my wife asking:
"How was your shower?" "Well . . ."
But fortunately, I had anticipated such behavior from a coin-operated shower,
and I had an extra 50 cents with me! Once the shower started back up, I had to
wait patiently again for the temperature to adjust itself. But finally the water
was just perfect for rinsing myself off, when . . . Someone flushed a toilet!
Brrrr…
As I didn't have any other coins with me, I decided not to risk my time allotted
water by waiting until it was warm again, and I quickly rinsed myself off with
water that felt like it flowed in straight off the North pole.
The last 30 seconds of my shower were pleasant. Then the water stopped. Just in
time, for I heard another shower go on next to mine. Was it time for me to flush
the toilet?
Many people undergo much the same experience I did, except in different areas of
their life. Showers of blessings are promised to them, and when they begin to
show interest, price tags begin to spring up from unforeseen places.
"Salvation can be yours. Jesus paid the price for you. Are you interested?"
"Absolutely."
"Well, here are the rules you need to abide by…"
"But I thought salvation was free."
"Sure it is free. So keep these rules and don't forget to pay your tithes and
offerings." (Interestingly, John 3:16 does not say "For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever pays his tithes and offerings
and abide by manmade rules shall not perish but have eternal life.")
Why do we offer coin-operated cold showers to those who hunger for showers of
blessings? Why do we like to be toilet flushers instead of Good News announcers?
Salvation is not based on works, but on what Jesus did for us. It is free to
anyone! If behavior needs to be changed, it is the job of God's Spirit to do the
persuading, not OUR job!
Our role as Christians is to proclaim the Good News to anyone for free and to
lead a life led by God's Spirit and God's Word. Shouldn't we be the ones
inviting others to Jesus free of charge? Didn't He promise: Matt 11:28 "Come to
me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' NIV
He is the answer, not us!
Remember; don't flush while someone is taking a shower, especially if it is a
shower from the Lord!
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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