Are You Leaky?

For years there has been a growing leak around the steeple area on our church roof.  Whenever it rained, buckets had to be put out and the musical equipment on the platform had to be covered. Roofers galore have been up there plunking around, patching various areas, caulking around the flashing, and scratching their heads.  No matter what was done, the leaks just got worse.  The storage area started to be affected and even the baptismal turned into a glorified drip catcher. 

Finally, the steeple was removed and water was found inside.  The area left vacant was repaired and roofed over. Yeah!  Except that it did not solve the problem.  The next rain that came brought leaks again.  Once again, the roofer climbed up to find out what was going on.  He discovered that although the larger, more obvious issues under the steeple were no longer leaking, there was a teeny, tiny nail hole allowing water to get inside.

A nail hole.

Our lives can be just like that church roof; we deal with all sorts of circumstances that cause disruption, ruin, and irritating dripping noises in our hearts and minds.  We search for remedies and fixes to get back on track – books, seminars, heart to hearts with friends – to no avail.  The issues always seem to come back with a vengeance, leaving us to feel as if our hearts and minds will never be watertight against life’s storms.

When Cain was faced with his own sinful heart regarding his sacrifice and his jealously of his brother, the Lord gave him a warning. 

So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?  If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”  Genesis 4:6, 7

The Lord warned Cain that sin was waiting and desired to have his heart.  Some versions use the much more descriptive and terrifying word ‘crouching’. Sin’s desire was for him, but Cain had a choice.  He could rule over it or he could let the jealously and selfishness continue to drip in, spreading through his heart and mind until he did the unthinkable.  He murdered his brother.

What starts as a ‘small’ sin can turn into a full blown torrent over time, weakening the structure of your faith and causing all sorts of mischief.  Choose today to rule over sin that is crouching at your door or raining on your roof.  Fill the nail holes with the Word of God and allow His Spirit to have victory over the enemy and his schemes.

Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.  Romans 6:11, 12   

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for the conviction of your Holy Spirit.  Help me to listen and choose to follow Your perfect counsel.  Let me recognize those holes that I am allowing to go unfilled with Your Word.  Let there be no wicked way in me!  Amen.

Challenge:

Examine your life this week.  What are you allowing in your life that is not pleasing to God?  We try so hard to justify our sin, refusing to acknowledge it as rebellion against a Holy God.  As drips are evidence of a leaky roof, bad attitudes are evidences of sin in the heart.  Find your leaks!

Suggested reading: My Ugly Pet

Jen G

2012