Having Heart In A Sometimes Heartless World
Day 115 - Who pulled the plug?
Scripture focus: unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3 NIV
We pulled into the parking lot at the Myrtle Beach real estate office shortly before sunset. I was more impatient than our two children (at that time); Scott was very young, and this would be his first visit to the giant pool we call the Atlantic Ocean. I couldn't wait to show him the sand and waves!
Finally, Pete returned to the car and we headed out for our seaside condo rental. We were rapidly losing the benefit of sunlight, so instead of unpacking, we headed down the boardwalk and quickly dipped our toes into the salty surf. It was a short walk at high tide.
Early the next morning, I was up and eager to hit the beach. Slathered with sunscreen, we trudged down the steps and headed to our next great adventure. At low tide, the expanse of beach was wide and deep. The morning walk felt more like a hike.
Scott grabbed his dad's hand and headed for the water. Staring out at the sea, he said, "Daddy, why did God pull the plug?" It's moments like this when I understand more fully why God requires us to change - and return to our child-like state - before entering the kingdom.
Too young and inexperienced to have a more scientific explanation, Scott took what he did know and applied it to the moment. Last night there had been plenty of water and almost no beach. Today he saw tons of beach and much less water. When had he seen this before? His evening bath time. Pulling the plug was a nightly ritual; once pulled, the water slipped away. Who would have the power to pull a plug big enough to drain away massive amounts of water? God has the power - a simple, and profound conclusion.
Children understand what many adults forget. We try to compensate for our lack of control either by increasing our sense of power or by creating greater predictability in our lives." Soul Cravings, by Erwin McManus, entry 3, Meaning. Children aren't confused - they have no power. Children aren't experienced enough to depend on the patterns of predictability that so many grown-ups cling to. Children's souls seem to naturally connect with God. "If your soul is disconnected from its source, it will die we were created for God and we cannot, in essence, live without him. If we would connect to him, he would make our souls fully alive." Soul Cravings, Erwin McManus, entry 8, Intimacy.
Soul cravings are whole brain and body experiences. Soul cravings are rich in feeling, experience, meaning, and wonder. Soul cravings create a thirst for more. Soul cravings demand God contact. Soul cravings embrace imagination and dreaming. Soul cravings color outside the lines. Soul cravings aren't concerned with the laws of physics. Soul cravings transcend man's ability to control and predict.
Fitness gurus tell us that sometimes when we think we're hungry, we're really thirsty - identifying our needs and satisfying our desires seems to be confusing business. While our brain craves more stimulation and the fulfillment of desire, our soul craves something far more essential. Our soul was created to see the ocean and pretty much everything else in life - large and small - through the eyes of a child.
Recommended reading: Judges 2 and 3 in the morning; Psalm 91 and 92 in the evening
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