SWIMMING IN THE WATER OF LIFE
by Don Hawley
June 15, 1997
Before I arose this morning, the Lord gave me an allegory I would like to share. I envisioned a very hot day with people getting sunburned, and generally suffering from the heat. Seeking relief, a large number headed for a local park. There the pool area seemed to draw a crowd, but many roamed the park with little interest in the pool.
As I approached the bathing area I saw that a little wading pool had been provided for tiny tots. They were splashing around contentedly, feeling very big and brave. Looking more closely, I noted there was only an inch of water in their little pool, but they seemed to feel no need for anything of greater depth. They hardly noticed the scarcity of water, and splashed as best they could.
Then I noted a second tiny tot pool also was drawing some attention. This tank had quite a bit of water in it, but only a dirt bottom. That made the water muddy, and also allowed it to leak out until much water was lost. Still the youngsters were making a lot of noise and seemed to be greatly enthused.
None of these children showed much interest in the big tank; the little wading pools constituted their entire world.
As I turned my attention to the large pool, I noted it had three sections; the shallow end, a portion of moderate depth, and a truly deep end. These areas were not clearly defined; one just blended into the other. Although the surface was smooth throughout, the bottom dropped away and only experientially could one determine the differences in depth. While not as obvious as the water, the pool bottom was of paramount importance; without it the water would simply drain away. The side walls also played a vital role, keeping the water in its proper relation to the whole. In fact, I could see that in an appropriate pool arrangement, floor, sides, and water were all needed for balance.
It was obvious there was water enough for all to be refreshed, and all seemed to be enjoying themselves. The position of each person in the pool had to do with maturity and giftedness in water sports, not character or worthiness. Most of the people in the shallow end were children who finally had learned there was more enjoyment beyond the confines of the wading pools. As I observed those in the shallow end, I noted their comfort level varied in this liquid environment. A few were completely new to this sort of thing, and stood trembling with their feet firmly planted on the pool bottom. Others were getting a little bolder, taking their feet off the floor but still maintaining a death grip on the pool railing. Still others were really into this wonderful refreshment, and were splashing around with noisy, gay abandon. Some had even learned how to "dog paddle," and were drawn to move on toward deeper water.
Next I became aware that a few had outgrown their shallow-end experience, and were testing out the mid-pool area. For some time they would stand with water at chin level and only the tips of their toes touching the bottom. Finally with newly gained confidence they would yield themselves completely to the water's embrace. They knew the bottom was still providing a secure base for the pool, and they had faith that the water also could support them. This brought a joy and excitement they had not known in the shallows.
Lastly, I turned my attention to the deep end. Here accomplished swimmers were knifing through the water with ease.They were enjoying themselves thoroughly, but were more serious about their endeavors than those splashing away at the far end of the pool. Their skills were wonderfully developed, and frequently they served as teachers to shallow end participants. A few at the deep end had learned to do magnificent feats on the diving board, and a very few executed complicated dives from the high board.
Let me say again, that everyone in the pool was being refreshed and benefited. However, I could see that there was much to be gained by moving from the shallow end of the pool toward the deeper end.
INTERPRETATION
The blistering sun represents the continual attacks the devil brings against all mankind. Multitudes, either through ignorance or lack of concern for their own soul, accept Satan's onslaughts. They loudly complain, but are not ready to seek a proffered remedy.
The pools are religious entities claiming to provide a safe haven from the devil's attacks. The solid cement pool bottom represents the stable, under girding, Word of God, the Logos, doctrine. The water, of course, represents the refreshing and healing ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Lord has made it clear that in these last days he is calling all his followers into a proper balance:
The time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. John 4:23, 24.
The little wading pools represent religious entities claiming to be Christian, but that are out of balance in regards to Spirit and truth. The pool with a good foundation, but only an inch of water in it, is like a denomination, ministry, or congregation that emphasizes the Word to the near exclusion of the ministry of the Spirit. The Spirit is everywhere, but when largely unwelcome, legalism abounds. I spent most of my life in such a denomination, only finding the true Gospel of salvation by faith after I had white hair. I also wasted valuable time participating in an Internet forum that majored in arguing heatedly about doctrinal trivia.
The little pool represents those denominations, ministries, or congregations that emphasize the ministry of the Spirit, while playing down the importance of the Word. This arrangement produces a great deal of emotion, but without the undergirding of Scripture there is more noise than substance. The Spirit's ministry becomes polluted, and eventually the true manifestations ebb away.
These wading pools are "little" because, in spite of great pretension, they really don't count for much in the Lord's work on earth. Actually they do more harm than good. Both of these out-of-balance camps ignore or oppose the larger pool,which represents the mighty Renewal work God is doing on earth today--a move in balance. This is tragic, as the Renewal is the beginning of the Latter Rain that will usher in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
THE LARGE POOL
Millions already are enjoying the refreshing that comes with world-wide Renewal. The "floor' is the solid Word that provides a firm base for this new move of God. The"water" is a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit more extensive than any other time in history. The "walls "stand for the careful oversight of Renewal provided by wise pastors for their congregation.
All involved with Renewal are being blessed, but as with the pool there are degrees of involvement. That involvement has nothing to do with character or worthiness, but with degree of maturity or giftedness. Those in the "shallow end" are people who are new to this move of the Spirit. Manifestations of the Spirit are so new to many, that they are somewhat fearful at what they see around them. They are comfortable with "truth," but still a bit nervous about"Spirit." Others, however, are totally thrilled at becoming intimately acquainted with the Third Person of the Godhead. For the first time, they are learning what praising God is all about. This is so exciting that they express themselves with laughter and exuberance. For a time some may carry things a bit too far, but that can be excused considering the funeral-like church services they've been subjected to in the past.
For months many just bask in the love of God, but eventually most take tentative steps toward a deeper experience in the things of the Spirit. They learn about the gifts the Spirit has given them individually, and their heart's desire is to give themselves unstintingly to God's final work on earth. As they come to trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, their joy and effectiveness grow rapidly. They wonder how they could have endured so long in dryness and sterility.
Some are called by God to the deep end of the pool, where faith is fully matured. We are only beginning to experience what will take place in that arena. There the supernatural is released in greater measure, with signs and wonders becoming relatively commonplace. There the faithful earnestly seek a higher anointing. There the five-fold ministries will be newly empowered, as both prophets and apostles once again play the vital role God ordained for them. And there mighty spiritual warriors will appear to lead a purified army of God to complete victory over the forces of darkness.
The crisis of the ages is imminent. Where are you standing, my fellow Christian? Still splashing around in the tiny tot's wading pool, or have you entered into the great Renewal now sweeping around the world? Hopefully you are experiencing the new refreshing the Holy Spirit has brought, but is it time to move into deeper waters? Do you know your Spiritual gifts? Are they being used to God's glory? Are you aware of your particular role and responsibility in the final battle? Is your anointing all that God has envisioned for you?
Before long the war of the ages will be over, and eternal rest in the presence of God can be ours. But right now, the battle is heating up. This is the time to make your life count under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Returnto Spirit and Truth Ministries