Conduit or Container

He leads me …

Let us first look at what a conduit is.

 The Cambridge Dictionary has the following definitions –

       something that carries or moves information

      a pipe or passage for water or electrical wires to go through

·      a way of connecting two places, systems, etc.

·      a way of connecting two people or organizations

Let us look at the last one.

 In the European culture it appears as though the church has been more of a container than a conduit.

 People go to church to be blessed, but not to come under God’s discipline or rules. As a result, they have lost respect for Him.

 There is a time to be a container. Like when we are going through a hard time and we are looking to the Lord for the answers. We simply do not have the strength to keep going, and we need Him to impact our life for the good.

It is times like this that we hold on to God’s promises with scripture like –

 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)    and

 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)

 But we do not stay in this place. God created mankind for a relationship with Him. This is why we get the most important commandment according to Jesus which is, “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” Mark 12:30 (NLT)

 Jesus went on to say that relationships with the rest of mankind are also vital when He said, “The second [commandment] is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:31 (NLT)

 This kind of love does not mean just celebrating the good times, but also being there when life is not going so well too. The bible is quite clear about this -

If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—

    and he will repay you! Proverbs 19:17 (NLT)

 Anyone who has worked with a volunteer organisation will know that there is a lot of satisfaction in giving to those who need help. The look of the children’s faces when they realise that someone cares about them. Or the adults who are genuinely grateful for the help. Those are special moments.

We also read that we should –

 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;

   ensure justice for those being crushed.

Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,

    and see that they get justice. Proverbs 31:8-9 (NLT)

 “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 (NLT)

 “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’” Matthew 9:13 (NLT)

 And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 1 Peter 3:15b (NLT)

 As we go about the Lords work in whatever role He calls us to – big or small – let us be open to that the Lord does through us. In 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 Paul puts it this way -

 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. (NLT)

 When we allow the Holy Spirit to work through us as a conduit we do the following:

·      Make sure it is His message flowing through us, not our own perceptions.

·      Make sure it is His means flowing through us, not our own persuasiveness.

·      Make sure it is His might flowing through us, not our own power.

 Then the results do not come from us but flow from Gods power at work in and through us, not our own performance.[1]

[1] Adapted from https://trainbibleteachers.com/blog/conduit.htm