“REED” This

Connected?

Labor Day weekends are notoriously known for people working out in the yard or around the house. I wanted to do my part, so this past weekend I decided to pressure wash the back deck and steps that had needed cleaned for quite some time. They had become slippery when wet, and with all the rain we’ve had lately, were an accident waiting to happen. I began at the top deck where the back door is and worked my way down. Pressure washing is a lot like mowing a yard. There is an immediate change and instant gratification. I think that’s why I enjoy doing both. As I was spraying the deck, I realized I probably should have done this months ago. The change from the amount of dirt and discoloration coming off the boards was quite drastic. Of course, the railings also needed cleaned. After a few hours, I looked back over what I (really the machine) had accomplished. It’s amazing the change that takes place when doing this. The wood looked clean and newer. And most importantly, the steps and decks weren’t slippery. I then looked where the lower deck leads onto a concrete pad. As I was cleaning the edge of the wood, the edge of the concrete was cleaned and there was a major difference with the rest. It was obvious the entire pad needed cleaned as well. The pressure washer was still running, so I proceeded to move it off the pad area to being cleaning it. All of a sudden, my feet were being sprayed with water. I looked down and there was water spray coming out from where the water hose was connected to the pressure washer. As I reached down and grabbed the end of the hose, it came loose. I turned the machine off and crimped the hose. Then I looked at the end of the hose and realized the nozzle had broken in half. The metal had split and most of the end was still screwed into the pressure washer. The hose was still able to carry water through it, but it could not be connected to the machine. I checked my spare hose and it was broken in the same way.

A water hose is a great tool. It carries water with the same pressure from a spicket to a place that is 25, 50, or even 100 feet away. And the connecters on the end allow you to add other hoses to carry that water even farther and have a constant supply of water in another location. But, if the connecters are broken or not there, the additional length cannot be reached. And they cannot be attached to a machine. The normal pressure coming through a water hose isn’t near powerful enough to do the cleaning a gas-powered pressure washer can do.

We have power and influence on our own. But our power is nothing compared to God’s power. We can accomplish so much more and have a much greater influence on others if we have God’s power. The thing is, we have to be connected. We can have His power, but we must be connected with Him in order for His power to move through us. Jesus says in John 15:4-5, “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.” We must remain in Jesus and stay connected to Him to have His power working through us to accomplish the will of the Father. When we do, we will see lives changed and great things all around us.

I guess I need to go buy a new water hose. Maybe one with a better connecter. What about you? How’s your connection with Jesus?

Bro. Paul Reed

Tuesday, September 7, 2021