Stagnant Water

Stagnant Waters

“You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit… You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless. “Here’s what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that’s been through the refiner’s fire. Then you’ll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You’ve gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see. “The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!

“Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That’s my gift to the conquerors! “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”

Revelation 3:16-22 MSG

This past summer I was on a walk, as I was walking I came upon a creek by the road.  When I got right up to the creek, I noticed that the water was motionless and dirty.  Because there was no movement, the water had become a breeding ground for algae with gnats and mosquitos swarming over it. Besides all of that, let me tell you, the odor wasn’t the best either.  What a surprise this was to me because I had seen that creek when the water was flowing and moving, the way it was supposed to be.  It left me to wonder what had happened to stop the water from freely flowing.

As the weeks have passed since that walk, the conditions of the creek kept coming to my mind.  Another thing it did was it brought the word “stagnant” to my mind.  I decided to look up the definition of stagnant. The definition of stagnant is:

1. Not flowing or running, as water, air, etc.

2. Stale or foul from standing, as a pool of water.

3. Characterized by lack of development, advancement, or progressive movement:

The definition made it perfectly clear to me that the creeks water had become stagnate because the water had quit freely flowing.  What had once been an actively running creek was now the breeding grounds for algae, mosquitos, and gnats.  

“You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit.”

I am guilty of allowing myself at times to grow stagnant. Why? Because I am human, I get tired. I begin rationalizing with myself that it’s ok to be inactive. Don’t get me wrong, rest is important, being still is important. But what we are doing when we are being still and resting is the key.  Are we doing things to help refuel and refresh ourselves in Christ? Or, are we doing things that will leave us stagnant and foul?  

With me, it is so easy to sit down and rest. But sometimes instead of taking the time to read the Bible or a devotion or spend time in prayer, I find myself instead…before I even realize it… taking way to much time mindlessly scrolling through facebook or spending hours watching Austin live his life playing Garden Scapes.  These actions only create lack of development and progressive movement in my life.  Ladies, our actions soon become our habits, and our habits are what lead us to become stagnant.  

Reading this scripture, seeing it worded this way, made me stop in my tracks and evaluate my spiritual life.  Our stagnancy makes our God want to vomit!  That saddens me, breaks my heart! But in turn, continuing on reading the scripture it also makes me hopeful and grateful. The scripture goes on to say…

“The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!”

What a relief, we aren’t doomed when our actions lead us to habits that make us stagnant! God loves us to much to leave us alone and to allow us to stay where we are.  Let’s keep the communication open between Him and us so that when we start to become stale we can hear Him prodding or correcting us. 

God does not desire for us to live our lives idle, inactive, or dormant. He yearns to see His spirit freely, actively flowing within us.  With His spirit continually running through us, together with Christ we will begin creating an environment where the dirty, motionless, stagnant waters won’t be welcome!

“Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”

I don’t know about you, but this encounter has awakened my ears! It has aroused a desire in me to begin listening more intently to God and His desires and plans for me.  Every now and then we need a reminder placed in our path that His ways are better than ours and to get back on your feet and Run after God!

Song For You:

Running by Klaus, Kari Jobe