A man is dying of thirst in the desert and comes to a water pump. He furiously pumps for water, but nothing but dust. He notices a note on the pump that says, “Underneath this pump is a jar of water. Pour it down the pump to prime and water will come. But you must pour all of it for it to work.”

If you are holding that jar of water, would you pour it down that pump? You could drink that jar of water right now to quench your thirst. Who knows whether the pump will work if you were to pour it down? But you also know that just drinking that jar of water won’t last you very long. You will soon get thirsty again. What huge risk you would be taking by following the instruction and pouring that precious water all down that pump….!

That’s the life of faith. In order to gain the next life, we must die to this life. Jesus said, “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matt 16:25

You want examples of that kind of life?
“Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:35-40

– This life is the seed we sow in order to gain the tree. You could eat the seed now, but you won’t get the fruit of the tree for all eternity to come.
– This life is the money we own to invest. We could use it now for a few years or we could invest it for a huge return to last the whole life time.

How would you sow your life? How would you invest your life? Would you pour it down the pump?

Would it help if that note (for the pump) was written by your mom or dad or someone who loves you more than yourself?

One life! Invest it! Sow it! Pour it down! (You will lose it anyway!)

PH