Red Sea Days

[Part 7, Chapter 46] 

Favour is always the Red Sea, not the Dead Sea.

Located in the Middle East, both seas have water flowing into them.

What distinguishes them is that the Dead Sea has no outlet. The minerals flowing in have nowhere to go, and as a result, it has become so full of salinity, it is nicknamed the salt-sea.

Minerally rich, but mostly useless.

Jesus comes to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour, and he does it by serving as the sent-one. He lives in the richness of his relationship with Father as his beloved Son, and he serves those he has been sent to love.

A couple of years ago, I asked Holy Spirit what he would have me read next from the bible. I sensed him inviting me into his heart through the gospel of John. Then something interesting happened. I can’t even remember how I discerned it. All I knew, was that as I read through John’s gospel, I was to take specific note of the word sent and what it means to live as a sent-one.

It was astounding. I couldn’t believe it. Over forty-five references to Jesus being the sent-one from the Father. Then, there were more references to us being sent in the same manner Jesus was.

Favour is always being given away. We are sent—to wherever we already are—carrying and releasing the favour in which we live.

Jesus is sent. John records,

And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table … and began to wash the disciples’ feet.” (John 13:3-5)

Jesus, sent by his Father, was secure in his identity. He knew where he had come from and where he was going. In other words, he knew life was Whose → Who → Whom.

The security Jesus experienced in his identity freed him to serve.

Writing has been interesting for me. My unproductive days—Dead Sea days—are always spent in my office where I sit and think and try to conjure up something to write. Often, nothing comes.

My productive days—Red Sea days—are when I go and visit someone in hospital, or get together with people who are wrestling with church life, or listen to people who have questions about journeying with Jesus, or deliver firewood to the neighbours, or stand alongside a brother who is struggling with his wife. Sometimes I even complain that it’s cutting into my writing time.

The amazing reality is, I always come home from being alongside others with a myriad of insights to write.

Favour opens opportunities. Holy spirit has designed us to be sent. Favour is always to be shared. Where there’s an outlet, the freshness remains.

Living in favour will give you many more Red Sea days than Dead Sea days.