Fountains of Life

The Watermelon Test

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As I placed my knife on the striped green skin, anticipating a juicy red belly, an acute analogy popped into my head: we are like watermelons. No one knows what’s on the inside of us until we’re cut into.

It’s even interesting to think about the fact that the very center and core of a watermelon is called the “heart.” Luke 6:45 says, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” And in my case, my mouth usually opens up fully when I’m cut — hurt in some way. 

Being hurt happens in many ways; I’m not necessarily referring to abuse—that is a huge topic within itself — but we Christians get the watermelon test every day while waiting on traffic, while dealing with repairs, living through health issues, raising children, changing jobs, etc.

So when we’re “cut open,” what comes out of us? Harsh words? Anger? Retaliation? Judgment? Or sweet grace, mercy, and kindness?

I found myself driving in some pretty heavy traffic the other day. Most of the day I had been out and about running errands and I was ready to come home, settle down and make dinner. Five minutes from my house, I’m sitting in a turning lane and when the light changed to green, nobody moved. After a 10-second eternity, the car at the front of the line finally saw it and turned the corner. Then the signal switched back to red again. Out of the long line of vehicles waiting, only one car turned. Now I had to wait for the entire cycle of traffic lights to circle around again.

To be honest, I was furious. I shouted and yelled, “C’mon people! Really?” with the windows up, fortunately. My skin got cut and the interior that was revealed wasn’t a sweet succulent heart. It was anger, impatience, and judgment. Then a still small voice came from deep inside me saying, “Be anxious for nothing.” (Phil. 4:6) Thankfully, there was a good thing stored deep in my heart, it just wasn’t the first thing that appeared. Didn’t go through that watermelon test with flying colors. 

A few days afterwards, a friend of mine asked if I could help her with something one morning. This would “cut” into my scheduled agenda, however, I easily rearranged things and I agreed to meet up. I believe friends and family (relationships) take precedent over whatever plans I have. My schedule was adjustable, so I readily adjusted. Ah, the smell of a ripe watermelon popping open. Passed that one.

How about you? When you’re cut into, what’s on the inside of your watermelon? Some days are better than others, I know. There are days we’re red and sweet and delicious, and other times when we’re barely pink and — well — yucky tasting. That’s life. But try looking for those watermelon tests (without judgment on yourself, of course). It’s a simple way to check what’s in our heart at that moment.

Now let me get back to cutting my watermelon up.

Do We Need to Have a Ministry?

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By Cyndi

Jesus had a ministry because He didn’t need a ministry. If we need to have a ministry (or a position), there’s a problem — we’re getting our identity from it, rather than Him. So how do we know if we’re getting our identity from it?

For those of you in ministry or who minister even as a lay person, think about this: what would happen if you were asked to step down or go on sabbatical for a season? What if it were permanent? How would you feel? Would you be hurt? Do you feel that people would be missing something if you couldn’t do what you do?

I know this can be a real challenge on worship teams. We musicians sometimes have egos. “Don’t they want to hear my anointed playing (or singing)?” we unconsciously think. Our talent becomes our identity — who we are. But what if we’re not needed anymore? Or that talent gets taken away? Or we’re replaced by someone else?

When I broke my wrist several years back I had to deal with this. I didn’t think I had any identity in my talent as a keyboardist until I lost it. I couldn’t play for months! Let me tell you, when your “baby,” or gifting, gets taken away from you, you’ll find out where your identity stands! I had to repent, ask His forgiveness, then seek and learn to receive my identity as simply being a child of God. Nothing else. Period.

All of us have some sort of “baby” that’s ours—our talent, our job, our passion, maybe a person or persons. And if we were to loose it, or it got taken away, who are we then? If we identify with being “so-and-so’s mom,” or “the evangelist,” or “the computer wiz,” or “the one who always has answers,”can we still continue to love and serve God without those things? Are we leaning more on those connections and giftings than on the Creator of those things themselves?

Jesus’ identity was in His Father:

John 14:20—On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.

John 1:18—No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

John 1:1—In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Jesus had a ministry because He didn’t need one. Jesus had a following because He didn’t have a need for people to follow Him. His whole identity was in His Father. The same is our goal.

We are loved no matter if we do/say/are anything or not, in the eyes of the world. We are totally loved for who we are — His kids. If we need nothing from nobody (poor grammar for a point), we’ll never get disappointed or hurt. All our needs are met in Father God, Himself. He fulfills us. And He never disappoints.