Dying of Thirst
05/09/07 09:30 PM
I don't know if you saw this story that came out
last week, but I've not been able to get it
out of my mind. Let me briefly recap the
story. Last Summer a 29 year old man, Dave
Buschow, a former Air Force airman, died of
dehydration. He was on day 2 of a 28 day
survival expedition with Boulder Outdoor
Survival School (BOSS) designed to test
physical and mental toughness in the blazing
heat of the Utah desert. He was one of 12
people who put down $3,175 for the experience.
There were also 4 trained expert guides
present. From all accounts it sounds like the
typical survival-type experience that you've
read about or maybe seen on the Discovery
Channel. But it was obvious to all that Dave
was struggling. Besides leg cramps, vomiting,
slurred speech, and passing out, Dave was
hallucinating.
But the reason I can't get the story out of my mind is that Dave dropped dead of thirst less than 100 yards from a pool of water! The staff, not understanding or responding to the gravity of Dave's situation, refused to bring him water. They didn't want to deny him the experience of making it on his own. But that's not the kicker of the story. The four staff persons apparently were carrying emergency water! They chose not to give it to him.
If that's not a picture of the church today - I don't know what is! Can't you see it? People are dying around us everyday desperately thirsting for something more - for Living Water! And there are pools of water (churches) on every street corner. But not only that - there are guides (Christians - you and me) equipped with Living Water everywhere. Instead of praying, building relationships, and inviting people to Coastal, we simply assume they'll make it on their own. We even criticize them and judge them for their current situation, their lack of water! And while figuratively in this world they're cramping, vomiting, and hallucinating, we've got the answer - Living Water! Or worse yet, we simply don't care. Now we say we care. We've even been trained in administering care. But we never share the Water or bring anyone to the Water. Instead we argue and complain over style, methods, and the inconvenience that change and more thirsty people bring.
Repent Church! It's time to wake up and see people and circumstances like God does! God must be staring down at His church wondering why we won't lead people to the Living Water, why we won't share the Living Water with those around us. His heart is breaking! I've said it before, "Let's pull out all the stops and do whatever it takes to reach this world for Christ." In other words, pull out the stops and LET THE WATER FLOW! The hard truth is that most of the time, we are the stops, preventing the flow of Living Water.
Revelation 7:16-17, "Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Let's get busy Coastal - people are dying of thirst!
But the reason I can't get the story out of my mind is that Dave dropped dead of thirst less than 100 yards from a pool of water! The staff, not understanding or responding to the gravity of Dave's situation, refused to bring him water. They didn't want to deny him the experience of making it on his own. But that's not the kicker of the story. The four staff persons apparently were carrying emergency water! They chose not to give it to him.
If that's not a picture of the church today - I don't know what is! Can't you see it? People are dying around us everyday desperately thirsting for something more - for Living Water! And there are pools of water (churches) on every street corner. But not only that - there are guides (Christians - you and me) equipped with Living Water everywhere. Instead of praying, building relationships, and inviting people to Coastal, we simply assume they'll make it on their own. We even criticize them and judge them for their current situation, their lack of water! And while figuratively in this world they're cramping, vomiting, and hallucinating, we've got the answer - Living Water! Or worse yet, we simply don't care. Now we say we care. We've even been trained in administering care. But we never share the Water or bring anyone to the Water. Instead we argue and complain over style, methods, and the inconvenience that change and more thirsty people bring.
Repent Church! It's time to wake up and see people and circumstances like God does! God must be staring down at His church wondering why we won't lead people to the Living Water, why we won't share the Living Water with those around us. His heart is breaking! I've said it before, "Let's pull out all the stops and do whatever it takes to reach this world for Christ." In other words, pull out the stops and LET THE WATER FLOW! The hard truth is that most of the time, we are the stops, preventing the flow of Living Water.
Revelation 7:16-17, "Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Let's get busy Coastal - people are dying of thirst!
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