Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
~1 John 3:18
Our church is big on living the conduit life as a Christian—to be a passthrough of God’s love, mercy, and grace to others. Another way our pastor exhorts this truth is by saying, “Once we are rescued by Jesus, we become part of the rescue team.” This Biblical “one another” attitude (and practice) is one of the many reasons I just love my church family.
We recently finished up a series that went through our Discipleship Journey map, a never-ending triangle of following Jesus to deepen our relationship with Him. During the wrap-up sermon, the pastor used an analogy of a healthy Christian life that was one of those mic-drop moments for me. And I’m totally stealing it to elaborate on here: He commented that we need to be like sponges.
See, for many people, being a Christian is about finding “the right” church that will strike the smart-shopper balance of entertainment/engagement, kid-friendliness, aligned musical tastes, etc.…even though (due to children sports, family vacations, or sleeping in) they’ll show up about once a month. They want what they want. Others are truly faithful to not miss a church service (Hebrews 10:25), loving the worship experience in song and teaching. There is even a good percentage who, in addition to consistent corporate worship, read their Bible on the regular. They soak in all the never-ending goodness, richness, and conviction God’s Word has to offer, satisfying that Holy-Spirit-given appetite.
But as followers of Christ, we can’t just be sponges—soaking in and soaking in, even though it’s all good stuff we’re absorbing. Because we all know what happens when you don’t squeeze out your sponge on the regular: It gets sour and starts to stink. So, just like a sponge, we’ve got to squeeze ourselves out: doing good unto others and serving, giving away what the Lord is teaching us (Matthew 23:11; Galatians 5:13-14; 1 Peter 4:10). And there are so many ways to do this! Be part of a small group at your church to talk about God’s Word—or just meet together with one or two other believers once a week to share what God’s teaching you and how He’s moving in your life. And serve! I guarantee that there are at least 10 different ways you can serve at your church right now, whether during Sunday (and/or midweek) services, through local ministry/outreach partners, and short-term global mission trips. Or find a local Christian organization on your own that fuels your spirit.
However you choose to squeeze yourself, there is a beautiful irony that takes place: You don’t experience an emptiness in the emptying! In fact, this spiritual squeeze produces an immense fullness of joy! Giving yourself away immeasurably blesses you (Acts 20:35)! Plus, the pouring out for others creates the space to refill with more of God’s Word and refuel yourself for more giving away.
So, sweet friend, live the sponge life. Soak up God’s truth and goodness through His Word, corporate worship, and community…then squeeze yourself out for the sake of others. And then repeat.
Lord, I am so grateful that You have rescued me—brought me from death to life, from darkness into Your glorious light. Make me a conduit of Your love and grace as I give of myself to others in Your name.
encouraged by grace 