Christians in the shower

Have you ever prayed while in the shower? Absorbed in the comfort and heat of the steamy water. No obligations, perfect peace. Soon, the prayers turn from basic communication to cries of desire for the Lord and longing to do His will. Then they move to a desire to see the nations changed and a consecration of one's life to God in service and suffering for the sake of the gospel and to see ever sphere of society changed. After the prayers, and a few tears of emotion from such a deep prayer session, another few minutes are spent in the steam as the smell of cleanliness fills the room. After leaving the shower, the feeling of accomplishment and nearness to God is almost overwhelming.Although these are wonderful prayers and cries of the heart, it is amazing how many Christians can spend their whole life in their showers, or in other words settings that are appealing to the flesh, while praising God for endless hours; they leave with the feelings of great service for God but don't realize that nothing they have been asking for has actually been done though them for God's kingdom.

I too have been waiting for the moment when I will be able to step into my true calling, that glorious thing that God has prepared me for that will turn the world upsidedown. But along the way, I have had to get my life together and really discipline myself to work hard so that I could provide for my new little family. During this time of job searching, I ran into a full time elemenary school teaching job. Listen to this scenario and how glorious it is: I get to be with children all day who are amongst the most poor and broken of our society. They have extremely little money. Many of their parents are either devorced or, in one case, in prison for life! A number of parents skip parent teacher conferences. These children are dearly loved by God and need someone to pour into them. What a perfect, glorious calling.

Many would move to other countries to find situations like this to be part of. But, I must admit, this job was originally just for the money while awaiting my calling to fall from the sky like lighting. This job is so demanding and difficult that I seriously consider quitting every other day. I thought I could walk in a love on the students all day and be super encouraging and nice, but in reality, I must discipline them with strict classroom rules and procedures so they can learn the charater that they are lacking because of the situations they are in providing some hope of success in their future.

Not only is the job incredibly difficult, it takes all my time and energy and is apparently in the way of my true calling - so I've thought. I mean, isn't my calling supposed to be easy and fun and inherrantly give me a sense of pleasure and nearness to God. Maybe, but maybe God meant it when He said that only those who lose their lives will find them. Maybe taking up the cross isn't so full of divine excsisy for me after all.

In conclusion, God is calling His soldiers to step out of their showers - out of the settings where everything is perfect and nice and comfertable and to venture into the unknown territory of laying down their life for the sake of the gospel, which is as simple as doing things that aren't inherhantly enjoyable so that others can be blessed. The reward for such a lifestyle may never be recognized by anyone in this life; it may never be fun or easy or nice, in fact, it may even feel like death on cross. But then, isn't treasure in heaven of much more value than the fleeting pleasures of this age?

David Lewin