Many years ago when I was working as a police detective in the “Major Fraud Detail”, I received a complaint of a possible investment fraud. The investor had paid several thousand dollars to a person who cultivated Jojoba plants (pronounced “ho-hoba”). Jojoba plants produce large seeds that contain a very expensive oil that is extremely absorbent. Jojoba oil is used in lotions and other cosmetic products that need to be absorbed deeply into the skin. While other products only briefly moisturize the surface, and soon rub off, Jojoba products provide much longer-term benefits.
The problem was that the plants had to grow for 3 to 4 years before the seeds could be harvested and the oil extracted. Because of the extended time period, the investor was impatient for a return on his investment and felt he had been ripped off. Bottom line: no fraud… just an impatient investor.
But the beneficial properties of Jojoba oil led me to a spiritual application.
How often do we find that we limit God’s Word, our prayers, or our worship to the surface of our hearts and minds? Do we settle for superficial effects that fail to go deep into our heart and spirit… rubbed off by the first abrasive contact we have?
Do I hear or read the powerful, blessed word of the Living God, but allow it to remain on the surface of my mind instead of piercing my heart?
Do I pray with shallow words and distracted thoughts that seem ineffective? Or do my prayers mine deeply into the very heart of my Savior?
Do I sit through worship, singing the words while my mind is far away… allowing no lasting, penetrating effects on my soul? Or do I allow the time in worship to draw me to the throne of God?
Is my service for the Lord out of shallow habit or obligation with no real depth of heart or proper motivation? Or do I serve out of pure love and concern as my Lord did?
Does my fellowship consist of brief, shallow meaningless conversations with no true concern for my brother? Or do I invite others below the surface and show actual love and concern for them?
Do I share the gospel in limited, half-hearted ways that draw no one to the Lord? Do I hide my faith out of fear or embarrassment? Or do I allow the Holy Spirit to flood me with His promised power to share the gospel?
Does my concern for the lost go deeper than a fleeting sad thought? Do I realize that my failure to share the wonderful hope and amazing grace of my Lord may allow a precious soul to be eternally lost? Or do I allow Jesus to give me His heart and concern for the lost?
Is my witness for Christ just a thin mask that fails to fool anyone who takes a closer look? Does my behavior cause others to seek the Savior or to reject Him. Am I that hypocrite that so many hide behind to justify their rejection of Christianity? Or does the love of Christ in my life shine brightly on others?
Why am I afraid of an “absolute surrender” to a loving Savior? Why do I allow distractions and competing passions to prevent the Holy Spirit from penetrating the surface of my heart?
The answer rests in my lack of knowledge of Jesus Christ. As I learn of Him, spend time with Him and dig into His word, I find that there should be no fear in placing my faith and trust in Him… for He loves me and wants nothing but the best for me. His love melts away my fears and penetrates deep within my heart, soul and mind where they are unaffected by the abrasive world around me.
You can’t dive deep into the water while holding a beach ball… let go of those things that prevent you from diving deeper into the Lord. As with the Jojoba oil, allow Christ to go deep into every part of your being, and to fill you with His endless love.
Randy McMahon
The problem was that the plants had to grow for 3 to 4 years before the seeds could be harvested and the oil extracted. Because of the extended time period, the investor was impatient for a return on his investment and felt he had been ripped off. Bottom line: no fraud… just an impatient investor.
But the beneficial properties of Jojoba oil led me to a spiritual application.
How often do we find that we limit God’s Word, our prayers, or our worship to the surface of our hearts and minds? Do we settle for superficial effects that fail to go deep into our heart and spirit… rubbed off by the first abrasive contact we have?
Do I hear or read the powerful, blessed word of the Living God, but allow it to remain on the surface of my mind instead of piercing my heart?
Do I pray with shallow words and distracted thoughts that seem ineffective? Or do my prayers mine deeply into the very heart of my Savior?
Do I sit through worship, singing the words while my mind is far away… allowing no lasting, penetrating effects on my soul? Or do I allow the time in worship to draw me to the throne of God?
Is my service for the Lord out of shallow habit or obligation with no real depth of heart or proper motivation? Or do I serve out of pure love and concern as my Lord did?
Does my fellowship consist of brief, shallow meaningless conversations with no true concern for my brother? Or do I invite others below the surface and show actual love and concern for them?
Do I share the gospel in limited, half-hearted ways that draw no one to the Lord? Do I hide my faith out of fear or embarrassment? Or do I allow the Holy Spirit to flood me with His promised power to share the gospel?
Does my concern for the lost go deeper than a fleeting sad thought? Do I realize that my failure to share the wonderful hope and amazing grace of my Lord may allow a precious soul to be eternally lost? Or do I allow Jesus to give me His heart and concern for the lost?
Is my witness for Christ just a thin mask that fails to fool anyone who takes a closer look? Does my behavior cause others to seek the Savior or to reject Him. Am I that hypocrite that so many hide behind to justify their rejection of Christianity? Or does the love of Christ in my life shine brightly on others?
Why am I afraid of an “absolute surrender” to a loving Savior? Why do I allow distractions and competing passions to prevent the Holy Spirit from penetrating the surface of my heart?
The answer rests in my lack of knowledge of Jesus Christ. As I learn of Him, spend time with Him and dig into His word, I find that there should be no fear in placing my faith and trust in Him… for He loves me and wants nothing but the best for me. His love melts away my fears and penetrates deep within my heart, soul and mind where they are unaffected by the abrasive world around me.
You can’t dive deep into the water while holding a beach ball… let go of those things that prevent you from diving deeper into the Lord. As with the Jojoba oil, allow Christ to go deep into every part of your being, and to fill you with His endless love.
Randy McMahon
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