Do you remember the first time that you walked up to a toilet and looked for the handle to flush it and it wasn’t there? The individual that created this little device is a genius, and deserves a pat on the back. As a pastor I shake tons of peoples hands on a Sunday morning. I have made it my routine to go wash my hands after each service. You people are carrying some serious amounts of germs on those hands. So, it’s even better when I go into the bathroom and not have to touch that nasty little lever coated in sickness.
In our office each of the toilets there have automatic sensors on them. Which totally enhances the experience. However, one particular toilet flushes when you walk in the stall. You know, it’s just a preemptive flush. The first time that this happened to me, I was completely taken by surprise. I mean you expect that at the end, not in the beginning.
One of the things that I have always thought about and shared with others is that we should see life through the lens of a parable. What I mean is, what could God be showing you or teaching you through life’s everyday ordinary objects? When Jesus taught the people He often told parables, or short stories that were embedded with images and pictures that people were familiar with. It was a teaching strategy.
Right now you can ask yourself 3 questions to help understand your life’s parable.
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Where have you seen God lately?
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What is He trying to say to you?
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What is He prompting you to do?
Back to the automatic flusher… Every time this happens I am reminded that I am never alone. Even when I think that I am going to be alone, I am not. Let’s be honest, sometimes as parents we retreat to the bathroom because that is generally a place where there is still a little bit of privacy. But as followers of Christ we are never alone. Do you remember what Jesus told His disciples? In John 14:16 He said, “I will ask the Father to give you another helper, and He will be with you forever.”
As I view life through the lens of a parable, a malfunctioning automatic toilet flusher reminds me that the Holy Spirit is with me, ALWAYS! This means that when I am tempted, I am not alone. When I am afraid, I am not alone. When I am weak, I am not alone. When I am hurt, I am not alone. There is no where I can run, no place that I can hide from God. And I love that the toilet sensor reminds me of that.
So, where have you seen God lately? Keep your eyes open, you never know what may pop up in your life that reminds you of what God is doing in the world around us!
~Peter
A friend of mine recently told me this, “It is none of your business what others think about you.” I thought that was pretty insightful. It felt freeing to me. I don’t need to care what you think of me, because it isn’t my business anyway. It’s true right?
