Like Paul, those called to ministry have but one task before them: to testify to the grace of God. Whatever medium this effort affords is unique to the gifts bequeathed by God, one’s willingness to abide in His truth, and the course of free will.

There is a difference between being stagnant and being still. The first is a tactic of Satan; the latter a tactic of Christ. Satan delights in stunting growth with busyness while we remain spiritually idle. Christ delights in watching His family grow through His grace, stillness in prayer and studying of His word, faithfulness in purpose and worship, and abiding in Him.  Yet, both individually and as collective believers we can confuse stagnation with being still. If there is division stirring in your life, relationships, or church family, more than likely stagnation is present.

Picture yourself as a lighted, cascading water fountain. You are the welcoming fixture in front of your home (or heart, office, church). Hundreds drive past you every day and evening. To countless souls you ignite an attraction, a memory, a cause, a tug, a feeling. To some you bring a level of comfort and peace to their day even though you will never fully know to what extent. Children point you out to their busy parents, joggers slow their pace when they are near to you, and lovers toss their coins to you like prayers in need of an answer.

The day comes when you are in need of repair. Meetings occur. Goals are set. Line items are dissected. Teams within teams are formed. Divisions ensue. The courage to see reality becomes the real problem: lack of accountability, leadership skills, and recognizing patterns within circumstances are often the obstacles. And many times we feel powerless to make the necessary repairs. So we don’t do what is necessary, we do what is enough.

We choose to live satisfactorily instead of radically effectively. That is why the fountain is such a draw. It IS radically different. It is unique, powerful, a message in and of itself. The surging of water represents a baptism of NEW LIFE washing over every soul who yearns to be cleansed. The droplets REACH beyond the pool and tickle the palms of those whom receive His grace. With new life and grace comes the EMPOWERING deposit of the Holy Spirit. This brings us full circle to the radical effectiveness of a wholly functioning fountain: His MISSION through us of testifying to the grace of God.

You cannot fix a cascading fountain by pouring water on top of it. Yet, many times this is exactly what we end up doing. This is an egocentric approach which will lead to short-lived results. We become less powerful in our insecurities because we rely on our pitchers instead of His eternal reservoir. Eventually, children don’t encourage their parents to look your way, joggers adjust their iPod as they pass, and lovers lose faith that their prayers will be answered in your fountain. You have lost your internal and eternal message in the busyness of being stagnant.     

Are we doing what is necessary, or what is simply enough?