I Saw God Wash the World

I SAW GOD WASH THE WORLD


by William Stidger 1934



I saw God wash the world last night

With His sweet showers on high;

And then when morning came

I saw him hang it out to dry.



He washed each slender blade of grass

And every trembling tree;

He flung his showers against the hills

And swept the rolling sea.



The white rose is a deeper white;

The red, a richer red

Since Gold washed every fragrant face

And put them all to bed.



There's not a bird, there's not a bee

That wings along the way,

But is a cleaner bird and bee

Than it was yesterday.



I saw God wash the world last night;

Ah, would He had washed me

As clean of all my dust and dirt

As that old white birch tree!  

Apathy

Apathy


How does an apathetic life begin? Certainly no one sets out to be indifferent, aloof, or lukewarm, yet the stuff of life can place us on a path to a halfhearted, lack luster existence. As we face deaths, chronic or terminal illnesses, work disappointments, unimaginable family issues, political mayhem, crushed expectations, or financial distresses, we build walls or compartments around our hearts to detach us from such trials. We succumb to a dispassionate, lethargic survival mentality.

As our very wise pastor1 recently proclaimed, "Let the ancient words impart!"

We cannot allow discouragements or discouragers to hinder our service to our precious Almighty God. Let us be open to His wisdom, which He so graciously shares. He has provided us with the necessary tools in His inerrant and living Word. He has mercifully given us all of the truths and precepts we need to conquer this irksome jadedness.

"Let the ancient words impart!"

Haggai 1:7 tells us, "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Give careful thought to your ways.'"

Revelation 3:15-16:

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth."

Awareness of apathy, lethargy, and complacency certainly is the key step to move us to conscious changes.  How fortunate are we to have preachers and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to spur us on to loving deeds, prayerful support, and a proper focus!

Let us turn from a blah, callous, impassivity to an interested, passionate, sensitive, attentive liveliness and vigor. Let us focus our eyes on God and His plans, not on our own little kingdoms.

"Let the ancient words impart!"

Psalm 141:1-2:

"O LORD, I call to you; come quickly to me.
Hear my voice when I call to you.
May my prayer be set before you like incense;
may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice."

Proverbs 22:17-19:

"Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise;
apply your heart to what I teach,
for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips.
So that your trust may be in the LORD,
I teach you today, even you."

"Let the ancient words impart!"

2 Corinthians 10:5:

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Today may truly be your defining moment to lay aside your apathy of the past. Tomorrow may be your defining moment to continue to lay aside complacency, and the day after tomorrow may be your appointment to rid yourself of all indifference.

Holy and Heavenly Father,

I lift up my arms and my spirit to you. I pray that many, including me, will meet you in defining moments with open minds and hearts, so we may hear what you have to say. Your plans, not our own, give significance to our lives. I ask that you be patient with us, as we learn to be passionate about your plans, and I thank you for faithful pastors who boldly proclaim your ancient words! Amen.



1. Pastor Gary Boschain - sermon September 2, 2012, The Return Home.