Muddy water. This is what came streaming from my shower head one morning last week. This is something that I might expect in a third world country on any given day, but not something that I have ever experienced in America. As I kept the running water my mind immediately started problem solving … Should I call a friend to use their shower? Should I go and shower at the gym? Then I decided to pray and ask the Lord, if he saw fit, to please provide clean water for me so that I would not be late for work. After about 5 minutes, he did just that.
This was a minor inconvenience, and actually something that I laughed about with friends and family after the fact, but at that moment it seemed like somewhat of a crisis. A crisis? Really? The lack of access to clean water is a problem that millions of people around the world face daily. I dealt with it for 5 minutes and I was even able to problem solve simple solutions to address it. It made me realize how my perspective has adapted since I have been back in America for these past 9 months . . . and not in a good way. This is not what I want to happen.
I think that God was sending me a message … a wake-up call if you will. My perspective on the world and it’s people, and awareness of issues and what is truly important, was broadened exponentially through my World Race experience last year. However, returning to the conveniences and provisions of American life have made it easy to forget some of this and begin to slip back into a mindset of worldly expectation that is all too prevalent in our society.
I don’t want to forget! The Lord’s subtle reminder through this “muddy water” incident showed me what was happening in me. He revealed to me the intentionality that is required on my part to be sure that I don’t allow my experience last year to be in vain. My awareness of the issues around the world and how I can affect it was intended to inspire change in my life that can be used by the Lord to influence change in the lives of others. This is not only an ability that I have, but a responsibility.
I am so thankful for this seemingly insignificant experience which has brought me to a revived sense of purpose and intentionality to serve as a part of the powerful things that He is doing in the world.
