Pipe or Sponge

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Graeme Wilson in Victory Call

Recently during a staff enrichment time, Jim Kennedy, our Chief Operating Officer, was sharing about the importance of memorizing God’s Word. Something he said immediately struck me as a “Victory Call” — He asked how we were impacted by our time in the Word – were we like a pipe that water flows through – leaving the pipe relatively unchanged. That doesn’t sound like a profitable use of time or conducive of a meaningful, deep, abiding relationship with Christ.

What would be the alternative? When we spend time in the Word, we are spending time with HIM. It is not a reading exercise. As we spend time with HIM in the Word, HE is in the process of making us more like HIS Son. “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17

So it seems to me that we need to be more like a sponge than a pipe. Think of a dry sponge shriveled and hard. Drip one drop of water on it and that spot swells. Pour water on it or submerge it in water and the entire sponge swells to hold as much water as possible. If it is saturated, the slightest pressure will cause it to drip.

Oh, Lord, I want to be like the sponge, so full of YOU and YOUR WORD that the slightest pressure will cause You and Your Word to flow out.

How about you? Are you more like a pipe or a sponge? For you and me to be sponges requires more than a quick read in Scriptures a few times a week. It necessitates tarrying with HIM in HIS WORD. I know in my life that will require saying no to other things to make room and time to tarry, to actually live as if I genuinely want to be a sponge.

Ask yourself, “Am I a pipe or a sponge?” and “What am I willing to do to be more of a sponge?”

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt is a Biblical Counselor, Women’s conference and retreat speaker and author. She serves as the Director of Partner Care and Director of Women’s Ministries at America’s Keswick. She and her husband John have two married children and four grandchildren. She loves reveling in warm sunny climates and playing with her grandchildren.