During a worship time recently I saw a picture of a spile. I knew exactly what it was thanks to the book “Catching Fire” from the The Hunger Games series. A spile is a spout-like tool that you insert into a tree to tap water or to draw off the sap. In the book, a spile was sent as a gift to one of the characters so they would have a much-needed water source during a game they were being forced to play.
In all areas of discipleship, we are on a journey. We are growing as disciples and learning to live as the overcomers we already are through the cross and resurrection of Jesus. Fear is one of those areas. If you are like me, we are fearless as disciples in many ways. But as new seasons and opportunities to grow in the Lord come, fear tags along.
It takes faith to believe that the very things we want, need, desire are hidden in the depths of everything Jesus is. Curiosity about Jesus will find us close to him, pressing around him like the crowds, but it is faith that will take us one step closer. Faith makes us press in and touch him. Faith makes us open our mouth and appeal to him.
In this study so far, we’ve seen how God has redeemed temporary circumstances that were sticky, desolate, and delicate. As we look at Mary, the mother of Jesus, we will see what redemption looks like when the temporary circumstances are ideal.
The idea to write this series started with a dream (a literal one) I had one night. In the dream I was observing a worship service. The lady leading worship was singing the words I will not be defined by temporary circumstances. I understood in the dream that she was singing about Rahab the Harlot—perhaps it was even Rahab leading worship.
I keep thinking about, as self-centered as it may be, the price tag that was on my life. It didn’t matter how much it was, there was no price too steep for God. There was no price he wouldn’t pay for my life. When he considered the costs, Jesus said, “You are so worth it.” Before the foundations of the world God said, “Oh yeah, I’m willing to pay that ransom because I want her with me forever. I love her.”
Today I was challenged by something Jesus said—as usual. In Luke 9:57-62, Jesus addresses three different people about discipleship. As I was reading I saw three different costs when we choose to follow Jesus.
Brave Sparrow 