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Reflection Corner: Jump in the Pool!

  “Joseph! Jump in the pool! The water isn’t cold!”, I yelled at my brother.  When we would go camping as kids, the pool was the main event at any campground we resided at.  We nestled our fifth wheel into a shaded oak spot.  As soon as the RV was settled and organized, my brother and I would throw on our bathing suits.  It’s as if we used magic to put them on…poof!  We were ready to become scuba divers in the Caribbean.  We’d run to the crystal blue pool as towels flew behind us like Superman and Supergirl capes.  I was always the first to jump in the pool.  I would touch the water with my foot a couple times.  I’d skim the water with my hand.  Then…splash!  I became a mermaid with an iridescent pink tail.  I’d put my goggles on and dive under the water to explore Atlantis.  Like me, my brother would touch the water to see if the temperature was to his liking.  He was timid and did not jump with faith.  He would pace back and forth over the hot concrete.  After about fifteen minutes he would finally perform the renowned canon ball jump.  We both giggled, swam like fish, and enjoyed the coolness of the water.  We were fully in, body and swimming soul.
He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.
Every valley shall be filled in,
    every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
    the rough ways smooth.
And all people will see God’s salvation.’” – Luke 3:3-6

Like the refreshing pool, are you fully immersed in God’s commands?  Do you listen like the sheep who follows his master?  Trot over the repentance pasture into the salvation corral.  Does God fully fill your heart or just twenty five percent?  As Pastor Troy said in his message, “You cannot believe in God, but…”  There is no “butting” unless you’re a goat and not a snow-white sheep.  A goat head butts with stubbornness.  Are you all in with God or head butting against His will?  Be fully committed to your shepherd.  Trail behind his everlasting life staff.  Trot on saintly sheep to Christ-like clovers that appetize royally.

Jump in the pool!  Do not tiptoe around on the calloused concrete.  The flesh is hardened and weak.  It does not leap with faith into God’s arms.  The flesh touches the water and says, “I’m not getting all in!”  The flesh looks upon others, full of joy and peace as they dive into the water.  It sits on the bench with death.  Foolish flesh dips its finger in the water once more.  He says with an adamant mind, “I’m not getting all in!”  Die to yourself.  Refuse the pigheadedness of fleshly desires.  Die to the mulish heart that is twenty five percent mammon.  It’s high tide within the pool of spiritual prosperity.  Surf into glory, go all in and leave worldly lusts behind.  Surf the peak wave and feel the fiery zeal for God. 

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. – Galatians 2:20

Plunge into a baptismal of grace.  Submerge yourself under the water of mercy.  You’ll have amity, a sound mind, stillness, and clarity.  You cannot serve two masters.  You can either sit on the solid sinner’s concrete or canon ball into harmonious waters.  Repent and fill your heart vat with one hundred percent God.  John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ baptism.  Prepare your heart, rid yourself of baggage and beach towels and jump in the infinity pool!  Go all in with God and to heaven you will trod. 

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. – Matthew

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