A Hydrant or a Fountain?

"Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.” These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the Lord and where he showed himself holy among them" (Numbers 20:11-13).

When Moses struck the rock in frustration, the waters gushed forth rather than merely flowed. God's waters were meant to be restorative- gentle and healing. Remember, He leads us beside the still waters for His namesake (Psalm 23). But the gushing of the waters, although it satisfied the people's thirst, it did not heal their spirits. I feel that all too often leaders become frustrated like Moses, and they hit the rock- they do not honor God as holy. By striking the  Rock, who is Jesus, with frustration, they disrespect God: " He is "'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.'(Acts 4:11). God's provision is present, is living, and  is active. 

Something else is worth noting in this story: the people's position before the rock. As the people lined up for water, they had to extend their hands to catch the living spring. Each individual had to open his hands and lift the live-giving substance to his lips. He had to take the living source inside himself. Each one had to drink, but to remain alive, one has to continue to drink.

I pray that we teachers will continue to walk with the Shepherd daily and drink from the living waters of His Spirit. As we rest with Christ, the waters flow that then fill and refresh us and then others, including teachers, staff, and students. When we try to teach out of  a parched spirit, we are literally forcing waters forth as we try to perform. Can one really drink from a fire hydrant better than a water fountain?

 

Sometimes, we give our lessons and opinions becasue they are demanded of us, not because we truly feel an unction or prompting to share. This coerced ministry does not truly restore anyone.

In John 7:38, Y'Shua declares, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." Let the waters flow, not gush, through force. Pastors can also learn this lesson. They often through force and manipulation push the waters out to the people. This practice is absolutely wrong. Waiting and reverencing God and His Spirit are paramount.

 

My prayer is that the time in the desert and the years of wandering in  education will cause teachers to thirst for the living water of Christ, for we can do nothing without Him (John 15:5). Remember, teaching is one of the five-fold ministry gifts; it flows from Holy Spirit, not our own flesh.  Rest in Him.

 

Respecting the Rock,

MJ