Encouragement
A Day At The Waterpark
By Dan Blankenship
I recently took my daughters to a waterpark. This particular waterpark has two body slides right next to each other that have one stairway leading to both slides. Some of the water feeding the top of the slides drips down upon the park patrons waiting on the stairway. My daughters and I were quick to notice that many people decided not to remain in line because of the cold water dripping down on them. These people paid sixteen dollars to get into the waterpark, but they were not willing to suffer a few minutes under dripping water to experience one of the best rides in the park, even though the falling water was the same temperature as the water throughout the park. As I watched each person leave the line, leaving room for my daughters and me to move up a few steps, I thought about how many Christians respond the same way when challenged by uncomfortable trials – myself included.
James 1:2-3 tells the twelve tribes of Israel, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” But I can’t count the number of times that I have heard Christians gripe about the smallest inconvenience that comes their way – myself included.
Have we not all heard our brothers and sisters gripe about what songs we sing in the sanctuary? I personally would like to have the Newsboys perform our music every Sunday morning, but I know I’m asking too much on that one. Have we not heard the complaints about what some of the young folks wear to the service? And if I had a dollar for every time I heard a brother in Christ complain about God taking too long to find him that perfect job, I’d have my tithes paid a year in advance right now. Just like the patrons of the waterpark who let a little cold water stop their ascent, we believers in Christ often let the little things take our eyes off of the eternal goal – the kingdom of Heaven.
It might help us to think about Heaven more often, a restored earth devoid of the curse that currently allows Satan to confuse, manipulate, and attack its inhabitants. By constantly painting a mental picture of what Peter tells us to focus on: “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:13). This home will be with everything new! How much do we enjoy a new wardrobe, a new car, or a new house? Imagine everything new! (Rev. 21:1-5)
My daughters and I were eager to reach the body slides. We knew firsthand how much fun the reward was, and the cold, dripping water was not going to detour us from waiting in line with “pure joy”, as James prompted. And as believers in a reward that last for eternity and promises a reuniting with the One who gave us all a second chance, I think we have a future so complete that a few cold and drippy assaults should not cause us to complain.
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