It was our last morning in Newfoundland. We were in a campground 23
kilometers from Port-aux-Basques (this is where we take the ferry back
to the main land), and I awoke feeling refreshed and-ah-a bit smelly! A
shower was DEFINITELY in the plan for the morning-that is if I wanted my
family to associate with me!
As I prepared myself for the
experience, I suddenly remembered that the campground we were staying at
only offered coin-operated showers. Ugh. I had always avoided those in
the past. But one more "sniff", and I knew this would have to be the
first!
It only took a few moments for me to adjust the water
temperature, once I had inserted the coin. Beautiful! A hot shower can
feel sooooo good! I rubbed the shampoo into my hair and soaped up the
rest of my body. But just as I was getting ready to rinse myself off,
the shower stopped from running! Now what? For the briefest of moments,
I could see myself, completely covered with suds, running back to the
tent trailer for more money. I could hear my wife asking: "How was your
shower?" "Well . . ."
But fortunately, I had anticipated such
behavior from a coin-operated shower, and I had an extra 50 cents with
me! Once the shower started back up, I had to wait patiently again for
the temperature to adjust itself. But finally the water was just perfect
for rinsing myself off, when . . . Someone flushed a toilet!
Brrrr...
As I didn't have any other coins with me, I decided
not to risk my time allotted water by waiting until it was warm again,
and I quickly rinsed myself off with water that felt like it flowed in
straight off the North pole.
The last 30 seconds of my shower
were pleasant. Then the water stopped. Just in time, for I heard another
shower go on next to mine. Was it time for me to flush the toilet?
Many people undergo much the same experience I did, except in
different areas of their life. Showers of blessings are promised to
them, and when they begin to show interest, price tags begin to spring
up from unforeseen places.
"Salvation can be yours. Jesus paid
the price for you. Are you interested?"
"Absolutely."
"Well, here are the rules you need to abide by..."
"But I
thought salvation was free."
"Sure it is free. So keep these
rules and don't forget to pay your tithes and offerings."
(Interestingly, John 3:16 does not say "For God so loved the world that
he gave his one and only Son, that whoever pays his tithes and offerings
and abide by manmade rules shall not perish but have eternal life.")
Why do we offer coin-operated cold showers to those who hunger for
showers of blessings? Why do we like to be toilet flushers instead of
Good News announcers? Salvation is not based on works, but on what Jesus
did for us. It is free to anyone! If behavior needs to be changed, it is
the job of God's Spirit to do the persuading, not OUR job!
Our
role as Christians is to proclaim the Good News to anyone for free and
to lead a life led by God's Spirit and God's Word. Shouldn't we be the
ones inviting others to Jesus free of charge? Didn't He promise: Matt
11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give
you rest.' NIV
He is the answer, not us!
Remember; don't
flush while someone is taking a shower, especially if it is a shower
from the Lord!
Rob Chaffart
The Coin-Operated Shower
Today's Bible Verse:
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only
Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal
life."
The Coin-Operated Shower
Announcement:
As promised, on the first Monday of every month, we be publish one oldie from our devotional files. Enjoy!
- This mailing list is a public mailing list - anyone may join or leave, at any time.
-
This mailing list is announce-only.
This newsletter is dedicated to bringing people closer to the Lord through thought-provoking inspirational stories. It is published every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Privacy Policy:
Our Privacy policy
We will never share, sell, or rent your individual personal information and email address with anyone without your advance permission or unless ordered by a court of law.
How can you stop receiving our newsletters?
Each newsletter sent contains an easy, automated way for you to cease receiving our newsletter. If you wish to do this, simply follow the instructions at the end of any newsletter.
If you have received unwanted, unsolicited email sent via this system or purporting to be sent via this system, please forward a copy of that email with your comments to webmaster@answers2prayer.org for review.