Oasis
At age twenty-one and weighing 118 pounds, I had the privilege of teaching high school in one of the first consolidated county schools in North Carolina. The principal thought it was humorous to assign me a study hall of thirty girls. The humor still fails me.
On a hot spring day, the girls united in a concerted plan to test my limits of authority. In an attempt to even the score for their mischief to me, I wrote a short story and insisted they sit still and listen. Without air-conditioning, the room was most uncomfortable.
The setting of my short story was a desert. Two travelers were lost. The scorching sun dogged their path across the hot sands. Oh, so graphic was the picture I painted of the heat -- the parched and cracked lips, and the need for water.
Into this desperate plight I brought the vision of a distant oasis in the desert. Palm trees, grass, and fresh water cheerily flowing off a waterfall. With renewed energy, feet plodded toward the fresh water -- only to find over the last sand dune that the waterfall was a mirage. There were no trees, no grass, and no water.
The high school girls were required to stay in their seats as I read on about another mirage, followed by another…and another. With each mirage it did seem that the classroom was more like a desert, and every girl became thirstier. Though my practical joke was unusual, the good news is that never again did the girls use their mischief to test me.
Through the years it has been my experience that Satan attempts to offer mirage after mirage to followers of Jesus. Well do I remember a time during the 1970's when many ministers were invited to get involved in a plethora of business ventures. More than a few times business people approached me as a minister to participate in pyramid companies, sale of water-saving and/or purifying devices, investment schemes, travel clubs, etc.
After a nice dinner the presentation would go something like this: "You are a very dedicated pastor. God wants you to be successful. You do not need to give up what you are doing in ministry. In fact, by spending just a few hours each week in this business venture you will have more finances to do ministry, be able to afford more time with your family, and your church people will be able to increase their tithing and giving. You do see how a little extra money would really help the church don’t you?"
Oasis in the desert: mirage, sand dunes, no water, no grass, no trees -- just another false dream leading further into the wasteland; a gimmick based on money to pull a person away from the calling and anointing of the Holy Spirit.
More than once this Christmas I have listened to wise and mature senior Christians who have said, "I have told my children that I do not want anything material for Christmas. I did ask my grandson to go to church with me. I did ask my children to do something for me that would be personal, but not cost money. I did ask the Lord to let my husband come home from the hospital."
Those who live to grow older learn the difference between the well-watered plains of Jordan that led to Sodom and Gomorrah and trusting in the Lord for His provision. Better is a little with God's favor than much with God's judgment. Moses chose to suffer with God's people in preference to having the pleasures of Egypt for a little season.
Mirages are temporary. Mirages fade into carnality just when it would seem that all of life is a party. Mirages in the desert of life are expensive. Mirages cost too much and only lead to destruction.
I finish the last Pastor's Heart for 2005. This is the twenty-fourth year of writing weekly. My theme is ever the same: Trust God, be steady, do not look to the right or the left. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Be focused to finish well. Remember that when life's race is run, the mirages will be worthless embarrassments.
As you prepare for 2006 set your heart that the future will be completely and totally devoted to living the Christ life. Determine that you will humble yourself beneath the mighty hand of God to be useful for His glory. If you do this, you will have the joy of the eternal fountain of living waters springing up within your soul! God's oasis is not a mirage!
Much Love
Pastor Bare
Jeremiah 29:11