Salvation's Hoover Dam

 

Salvation’s Hoover Dam

^{Hebrews 6:1 ”}Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,² Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.³ And this will we do, if God permit.”

     This verse may not totally apply, but the idea of maturity is there.

     I have recently seen T.V. shows about the Hoover Dam.  It is a marvelous construction both in front and behind the dam.  Tall intake towers receive water from Lake Mead and funnel it to the turbines.  On the other side, the great arch braces the structure against its rock bases.  The sheer drop makes it most impressive.  Even the pride of America as the flag is draped over it.  Yet without water, it doesn’t produce hydroelectric power.

     What if salvation were our own Hoover Dam?  With each memorized verse, we lay down the concrete layers.  How proud we would be to see the completed structure, a full understanding of our security in Him.  Again, the tall towers protrude up from the canyon floor testifying of our magnificent faith in accepting Christ.  Concrete anchors in defiance, braced for whatever stress put upon it.  It is a wonderful thing.

     Dang near useless.  A laughingstock.  What good is a dam without water?  Have we starved ourselves?  Did we cut the flow, or did we forbid the river to build in the first place?

     The Holy Spirit can come.  He is the reservoir.  He gives life to the dam and spins the turbines to light the lights.  But do we have a say in the lake’s depth?

     Oh, to sacrifice the grand display of engineering skill!  What will the tourists see?  A sheer face is great but what of its posterior protruding?  The dam will be covered up by water if we let it.

     Does not water baptism let the flow?  Salvation takes the rearview mirror as we seek to be identified with Him.  In humility, we brace for His pressure.  Suddenly it’s not about the beauty of the dam but the function it brings. Water comes and fills the dam’s holding.  The level creeps up and spills into the towers.  Down the waters flood the penstocks forcing turbines into action.  Generators hum cutting magnetic fields.  The dam in utility creates power.

     If we identify with Christ and seek to know the Father, His Spirit will flow through us with power.  If our relationship with Him is all about the dam, we miss it.  Salvation is great, but it is just a step to usefulness.