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.
