A Cup of Cold Water

For some people the summer offers an opportunity to ease off on the throttle, slow down a little, and enjoy the scenery. Still there are many people who continue to live life wide open, hurrying from one place to another, overwhelmed by the feeling of being constantly behind.

The stress can take its toll. Pretty soon, in addition to feeling exhausted, you begin to see other people as an interruption, if not a threat. You begin to question yourself—your motives—your values. Even if you are certain the things you are doing are helping make the world a better place for you and your family, you begin to wonder if it’s worth all the effort.

When you begin to doubt whether you have the strength to take another step, you are also in the position to appreciate the value of even the smallest gesture of encouragement.

A cup of cold water doesn’t mean much when you’ve been sitting on the couch for an hour or so; but if you’ve been out weeding the garden in the hot sun, it is refreshing nectar and you are delighted to receive such a gift.

I wonder how our world would be transformed if more of us looked for those people who need a cup of cold water—a word of encouragement—a sign of appreciation for the work they are doing to make the world a better place. I know it is much more effective to reward good behavior, than it is to punish bad behavior. More importantly, it is a much more gracious way to live.

As he comes to the close of his message to the Hebrews, the writer reminds each of us: “Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” (13:1-2).  

Let me encourage you to encourage others, welcome them, and look for ways to show them hospitality; and I’ll be praying that others will offer you that cup of cold water at just the right time.

Getting Noticed

Fifty days after Jesus rose from the dead—and ten days after the disciples watched him ascend into heaven—the band of believers who had followed Jesus throughout his public ministry experienced a transformation that could not be ignored.

Luke tells us a lot about the sequence of events of that day: they were all gathered in one place; the sound of a great wind; tongues of fire; and a newfound ability to speak in other languages. It is a remarkable scene and it is not uncommon to spend time imagining what it must have been like to be in that room when the Holy Spirit showed up. Were they praying or singing or sitting silently staring into space?

After a few moments spent wondering about the circumstances, you might find yourself wishing you could recreate them. I wonder how many worship planners secretly hope they can devise the right sequence of prayers and songs and silence to get the Holy Spirit to show up in their worship space. They may feel successful when they witness a few tears, people hold up their hands, and sway from side to side. I fear they may be missing the real significance of the day, though.

What happened outside that room is what really matters. People who thought this group of uneducated rabble should slink back to the countryside were bewildered and amazed. People who thought they had a pretty good handle on what it meant to worship God were astonished and perplexed. People who had already dismissed Jesus’ ministry—his teaching, his healing, his work of reconciliation—were cut to the heart by the proclamation of Peter and the others.

When the Holy Spirit descended on the believers it attracted the attention of the people in the street. Peter and the others did not linger in their special moment. They rushed into the world—and the world noticed.

The Holy Spirit is still calling, equipping, and empowering believers to go into the world with the proclamation of the good news of all that God has done to show his love to those who are hurt, lonely, lost, and afraid. Pentecost is our opportunity to remember and celebrate this reality even as we ask God to prepare us to join him in this mission that bewilders, astonishes, and amazes the world.