“you, my people, have sinned in two ways-- you have rejected me, the source of life-giving water, and you've tried to collect water in cracked and leaking pits dug in the ground.” jer. 2:12-13 [cev]

how’s that for an uplifting message at the beginning of a new year? there is a positive here, i’ve never been known as a ‘doom and gloom’ kinda guy, but you and i both know that the Bible is not a ‘feel good’ book all the way through, is it? this verse is awesome and certainly isn’t the stuff of the hallmark channel or Christmas specials… but as a friend and brother of mine (matt norman) cited this verse in the context of submitting to God’s discipline and our responsibility in this relationship (a word that, by definition, is at least a 2-way street), it provoked me… let’s check it out (let me warn you that he also sends me back to the ‘longer than most people want to read’ posts):

in this verse, jeremiah is reporting what God told him about israel and how, as a nation, they had become complacent towards (if not outright rebellious against) the same God Who had delivered, guided and provided (to overflow) for them… but it also identifies that there is more evil that simply forsaking Him (ignoring the Fountain of living water)… it highlights the fact that we are also to be vessels that can hold that living water…

what does that mean for us today? we know that we are saved by Grace and our faith in Jesus (john 3:16, ephesians 2:8, among others)… but there is the often debated ‘faith without works is dead’ argument from the passage in james 2:17 and 26. i propose that we are saved from our sin to a restored relationship with our Loving Father and the very Fountain of living water… but that our purpose is GREATER than JUST having that relationship for ourselves… but that we are to be vessels ABLE (i.e. not broken or cracked… no leaks… and NOT buried in the ground) to hold, carry and deliver that water to others that they may also realize restored relationship with God.

how do we obtain/maintain the ability to carry that water? paul urges us to present our bodies as living and holy sacrifices (rom. 12:1), “and do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (v. 2)

we can settle for being saved from immanent self-destruction and eternal damnation to restored relationship with God… but He considers it an “evil” to not be a vessel for His living water… so let’s kick it up a notch this year, starting today.

Daddy, You have done so much for us that we certainly do not deserve and can never begin to repay. forgive me for my pride and complacence in simply being saved from my sin or even saved unto You… repair this broken vessel so that i am able to hold Your living water and rekindle that fire, sending me where you will to pour it out on those around me. thank You that it is only by Your grace that i can BE saved… or even BE that usable vessel. for Your Glory, alone. so be it!