The Pipeline of Grace...

Today it is pouring outside.   Heavy sheets of rain are falling.

I was thinking about the well, about the natural spring that the villagers use here.  My mind was dwelling on the different options.  Part of me plays the advocate.  Did I come here for Bibles, or to dig wells and lay pipe?  

The other side of me answers, almost stubbornly,  “You came to bring the Gospel, the Good News....to share the world’s greatest treasure!” 

I remember Rober’s face, twisted up with emotion as he tried to explain to me about the bad pipes.  That same man stopped at my house today and gave me a fresh cut of his figs, from his “garden” up on the mountain.  He wants so badly to see it happen.  

He told me of a new kind of PVC pipe that they make in America, that can withstand the river current and won’t get broken up.  He said it’s very expensive.  

I decided I needed to lift up praise to God. 

So I’m listening to a song called I Refuse.  

The words haunt my thoughts.  They resound in my soul.  If you can imagine water on a bass drum, dancing to life with every beat, those are the words of this song to my heart.  They make me dance.

‘Sometimes I...

I just want to close my eyes

And act like everyone's alright

When I know they're not

This world needs God

But it's easier to stand and watch

I could say a prayer and just move on

Like nothing's wrong

But I refuse

'
Cause I don't want to live like I don't care

I don't want to say another empty prayer

Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself

Oh, I could choose

Not to move but I refuse

I can hear the least of these

Crying out so desperately

And I know we are the hands and feet

Of You, oh God

So, if You say move

It's time for me to follow through

And do what I was made to do

Show them who You are

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care

I don't want to say another empty prayer

Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself

Oh, I could choose

Not to move but I refuse

To stand and watch the weary and lost

Cry out for help

I refuse to turn my back

And try and act like all is well

I refuse to stay unchanged

To wait another day, to die to myself

I refuse to make one more excuse

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care

I don't want to say another empty prayer

Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself

Oh, I could choose

Not to move but I refuse

I refuse.

I refuse.’

Oddly enough, my little ipod is set to alphabetical, so as soon as this song finished and I’m shouting Amen in my spirit, I’m suddenly listening to a pastor giving the sermon titled ‘I Send You’:

“Listen to these words: As the Father sent Me, so I now send you.”  John 20:21.

As the Father sent Me...to do what? To bring the Gospel, the Good News of the Kingdom....I now am sending you.”

I keep listening.  I’m wide awake.  I’m paying close attention now...

“We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace....” Rom. 5:1-2

The key word: access.

‘Faith is the access.  We have access to the grace, through faith.  You have a well in your house.  For some reason your well goes dry.  You have no water. But the city has a huge water tower, with millions of gallons of water flowing right in front your house....what do you do? You get a permit,

you go buy some PVC piping, to hook up your house to that main water line.  Now you have access.

What is faith?  It is the PVC piping that gives us access into this grace that I’ve been preaching about!  

Simply put, faith is the pipeline of grace.

God is able to make all grace abound to you.  What’s the one element we need?  

Faith.

Faith is the determining factor of whether we do or do not partake of grace."