Date: 06-02-2020

Title: What’s In Your Bucket

(S) cripture:
    Proverbs 26:20 (NASB) For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.
    Proverbs 26:20 (NIV) Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.

(O) bservation:
    This simple proverb is so profound. Without fuel a fire goes out.

(A) pplication:
    As I read this today, I could not help but think about the rioting and looting and burning happening in so many cities in the wake of the senseless killing of George Floyd. I also was thinking about the peaceful protest here in Huntington and the powerful statement it made. I thought of the interview with and the moving personal testimony of T.C. Clemons, a teacher at a local Elementary School. She spoke powerfully to the issue of racism and its impact on her life in ways that did not add fuel to the fire but allowed contentions to die down so that deep and lasting conversations can take place. I was moved by the power of her testimony and her grace in sharing it. She was and is living this proverb. If only we would practice this truth. Too often we add fuel to a fire rather than starving the fire. I am reminded of the teaching I heard about this. To every fiery situation you are carrying two buckets, one filled with water and the other with gasoline. You get to choose which one you will throw on the fire. I want to be throwing water. I want to quell the fire not fuel it. Our words many times are like gasoline and only fan the flame of a tough situation to greater heights. I want to be one known as a peacemaker. I do not want to deny or ignore difficult and sometimes systemic issues. I want to resolve issues not exacerbate them. Today I want to use words that bring healing not harm.

(P) rayer:
    Lord help me to only carry water to fiery situations. Let my words bring healing not further harm. Help me to remember my calling to be a peacemaker. Amen