Pure Refreshment 1.18 -> Ahhh . . . Refreshing!

There's a scene in Brad Bird's film The Incredibles (2003) that effectively captures what it means to be truly refreshed. Under the pretense of 'bowling night,' Mr. Incredible and his pal Frozone decide to save some people from a burning building. While inside, the two get in a heated exchange about why Frozone cannot put out the fire. Frozone emphatically explains that he's dehydrated; thus, his ability to create ice is useless. The two exit the building with the trapped individuals as Mr. Incredible causes it to collapse.

When Mr. Incredible and Frozone pick themselves up, they find themselves in a jewelry shop and accidentally trip a burglar alarm. Suddenly a police office opens the front door and screams "FREEZE!", pointing a gun at them. Since the two are part of a government protection program, to showcase their powers would blow their cover. But Frozone unexpectedly reaches out his left hand and draws a cup of cold water from the water cooler. The police officer repeats his order to freeze, with Frozone assuring him that he's thirsty and just getting a drink. He then downs the water and lets out a satisfying "Ahhh."

The officer notices he's finished, then responds, "Alright, you've had your drink . . ." Frozone completes his line, saying, "I know, I know . . . freeze." A gunshot is heard, but when the other officers step inside, they only find the rescued folks from the building. As one of the officers turns to face the front door, he stands, wide-eyed, looking at a bullet and officer encased in ice. The two superheroes escape—but only because Frozone was refreshed by a cup of cold water.

Part of the goal for Pure Refreshment is to help lead you to the place where you can be refreshed by God. Of course, I cannot make you drink, but it's important to know that all other forms of refreshing will fail at some point. And in the final analysis, we'll all come to realize that God is the oasis that never goes dry.

During the last few weeks, I've come to realize this fact in a new way (it's also the reason there has been an extended delay between editions). My life has become busier than I've anticipated due to writing book reviews and helping to start a new church in our area. Additionally, I made the mistake of simply resting on the laurels of the faith in Christ I claim, living life in "application only" mode. As a result, I haven't been as refreshed as I've needed to be, creating a trickle-down effect that has affected my family and those I come into contact with every day.

Along the journey of faith, one cannot rest on their past acts of faith, recent books read, or previous church experiences. It might work for a time, but there will come a point where things become too rote, too robotic, too mechanical. The well begins to dry up. Time with God starts to become sporadic, then only in times of sheer distress, then not at all. Prayer extends to memorized lines or disappears entirely. Our circle of friends slowly starts to change, possibly drawing us into a circle of self that's difficult to get out of. People do begin to notice a change—but not the one God desires.

Faith in Jesus is supposed to be intriguing, vibrant, and life-changing. And in order for that to occur, we must be refreshed daily—even constantly, if need be. In John Bunyan's classic allegory The Pilgrim's Progress (1678), Interpreter shows Christian a wall covered in flame along with a man trying to extinguish the flames with water. The man's effort's are not working, however. When Christian asks why this is the case, Interpreter takes him behind the wall, revealing a man constantly throwing oil on the fire. "This is Christ, who continually with the oil of his grace (unconditional love and acceptance towards us) maintains the work already begun in the heart."1

Our part in maintaining refreshment involves coming to God consistently to drink deep from the oasis he provides. This is despite what we may be feeling at the time. And as we do that, he will come near to us (see James 4:8). In addition, we have to be real about what's going on in our lives. God knows everything already (1 John 3:20), so why do we think we can successfully hide our struggles from him? Trust me, it doesn't work (and I've tried). Eventually, we get emotionally, mentally, and even physically exhausted from carrying our burdens, when we really don't have to (see 1 Peter 5:7).

True refreshment isn't just about ourselves, however. Instead, we need to go out and refresh others with the refreshment we've received. This can take a variety of forms: baking cookies for a neighbor who's just returned home from surgery, writing an encouraging note to someone, spending time with a person who might be shut out from society through no fault of their own, or sharing with an individual about Christ and his desire to have them become part of his family. Regardless of the method, refreshment must be put in action. Jesus didn't tell his disciples to keep their good news to themselves. Instead, before his return to heaven, he said, "you will be my witnesses" (Acts 1:8 [NIV]). They listened, and many a person has been truly refreshed as a result!

It's your turn. What will you do?

May you come to God today and allow him to refresh you with a cup of cold water, leaving your struggles, fears, and inhibitions behind. And as a result, may you go and refresh others.

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise."
—Isaiah 43:19-21 (NIV)

"Many fail to achieve anything significant for God or man because they lack a dominating ambition. No great task was ever achieved without the complete abandonment to it that a worthy ambition inspires.
—J. Oswald Sanders2

All material copyright 2006 J. Alan Sharrer. No part of this email may be reproduced—other than the forwarding of the original, unaltered email message—without express written permission.

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1 Bunyan, John. The Pilgrims Progress. The section in parenthesis is my definition of "grace" and is therefore not part of the quotation.
2 Sanders, J. Oswald. The Joy of Following Jesus. Moody Press, Chicago, 1994: 63.

Pure Refreshment 1.17 -> A Memorable Gift

I wasn’t sure what was happening. Nervously, I paced the floor and tried to stay calm despite the combination of excitement, nervousness, and anxiety in the air. There was music playing on the radio, flowers on a table, and members of my extended family watching television. The wait was becoming excruciatingly long.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. A man in a lab coat walked into the room and proceeded to let my wife know the results of the test. It was positive—Jennifer had officially gone into labor. The doctor then turned and asked me, “Are you ready to have a child today?”

I didn’t know what to say. I turned and looked at the clock, which read 12:30 AM. And then it hit me: Today is April 11, 2002. It’s my birthday. And I’m possibly going to be sharing it with my child? This is not happening . . .

Well, it did happen, albeit fourteen hours later, when Rebecca came into the world. Honestly, I wasn’t thrilled at first about having to share my special day with my soon-to-be daughter. Yet over time, that selfish attitude has morphed into one of thankfulness and gratitude. For when I see Rebecca or receive a hug or picture from her, I’m reminded of that afternoon in April when God presented me with a memorable gift.

There’s a fascinating story found near the end of the book of Mark involving another unforgettable gift. In the town of Bethany, a man named Simon the Leper had invited Jesus and his disciples to pay him a visit. While inside the home, a woman approached Jesus with an alabaster jar of perfume, broke it, and poured it on his head. The disciples were not happy about this and weren’t afraid to let him know their feelings: “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor.” (Mark 14:5-6 [NIV]) The act was simply over-the-top for them.

To put this into perspective, the woman didn’t grab a bottle of $4 perfume from the counter and drip it on Jesus’ head. Instead, she went all out. She pulled out the bottle of perfume that was worth $50,000 and used that! In addition, the container that was holding the perfume was made of a very expensive substance known as alabaster. And the woman broke the jar before releasing the perfume. So we have extravagance upon extravagance. She knew that she wasn’t going to get any of the perfume back or be able to sell the jar for a profit. Once she started, there was no turning back.

The disciples had never seen (or smelled) such an incredible display of love expressed to Jesus. But instead of getting chills down their spines, they proceeded to attack the woman’s actions. “Hey Jesus, that’s the biggest waste of possessions we’ve ever seen! We could’ve taken that jar with the perfume in it, sold it for $50,000 or more, and then given it to those in true need. Woman, what were you thinking?” (It’s ironic that the disciples were getting on someone for a display of love and affection remotely similar to theirs [forsaking all their livelihood and following a guy claiming to be God’s son].)

Jesus, drenched in perfume, looked at the disciples and basically told them to back off. They didn’t have the right perspective. It wasn’t going to be long before he would be arrested, beaten, and killed. The disciples were, in effect, acting selfish and attempting to stand in the way of what Jesus called “a beautiful thing” Mark 14:6 [NIV]). Their concern about the poor is valid, but there will always be people in need around the world, whether it involves food, clothing, shelter, drinkable water, or all four. And we should help them as we have the resources and time to do so.

But in this case, Jesus was impacted by the woman’s gift. He ends the conversation with a powerful line: “I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her” (Mark 14:9 [NIV]). And this verse would prove to be completely insignificant if not for Matthew and Mark. For it turns out that both accounts were written approximately twenty years after Jesus’ death and resurrection from the dead. This gift was so memorable to them that they remembered to include it in their accounts! As a result, we can learn from the extravagance of the woman two millennia later.

Jesus stated that we are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (see Mark 12:30). Doing such a thing may look as folly to the world (and possibly to those who know Jesus as Forgiver and Leader). But when you truly love someone, you do whatever it takes to make sure they receive the love you provide. You show them thankfulness and gratitude. And that’s what made the woman’s actions so memorable.

What is a memorable gift you’ve received? Why is it memorable to you? Did anyone think or feel otherwise when you told them about it? What was your reaction? What are some ways you can show God thankfulness and gratitude for all he’s done for you and those around you?

I pray that God would reveal something wonderful to you today. And as he refreshes you, may you, in turn, refresh others.

“[A]ll Christ wants is what we have the ability and opportunity to do. He asks no impossibilities of us.”
--JR Miller

“I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.”
--Psalm 89:1 (NIV)

All material copyright 2006 J. Alan Sharrer. No part of this email may be reproduced—other than the forwarding of the original, unaltered email message—without express written permission.