CLOGGED MINDS AND CLOGGED SPIRETS

"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty" (John 6:35). Jesus has just fed five thousand people, but the crowd failed to see the significance of the miracle and responded only to the free lunch. Jesus counsels, "Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you" (John 6: 26-27). Jesus offers to meet our deepest needs, but often we cannot see beyond our most basic physical needs.

In his book, Growing Spiritually, E. Stanley Jones tells of a guide taking his group through a beautiful cavern. There were many beautiful stalactites hanging from the roof and stalagmites growing up from the floor. The stalactites and stalagmites are formed by water dripping from the ceiling. Each drop of water, having percolated through layers of rock, had a tiny amount of minerals dissolved within. As those drops of water dripped from the stalactites (the ones that hang from the roof ), each one deposited a molecule or two of mineral on the stalactite or the stalagmite. Over the years, those little bits of dissolved mineral formed those beautiful stalactites and stalagmites -- some of them many feet in length.

But the guide told them that the water traveled through the center of the stalactites -- not on the outer surface. He said that when that channel becomes clogged, that stalactite stops growing.

Stanley Jones commented that we are like that. Many people "are spiritual stalactites with channels clogged." He went on to say, "We need perpetually to get rid of the things that clog mind and spirit."

How can we unclog our minds and spirits? Jesus tells us that people's religious needs and human longings are met in him. According to Scripture, everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Jesus. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Then Jesus makes a wonderful promise that whoever believes has eternal life. (John 6:47)

Eternal Father, open our hearts and minds to your son Jesus. He is the living bread. He brings us the promise of everlasting life with You. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Charlotte Austin McCary's Chapel United Methodist Church