I'd like to start off by apologizing for having not written in quite some time.  I ask that you forgive me, as I have been as busy as I've been throughout the course of my entire life.  With a few job proposals up in the air, and Notre Dame starting off so poorly, I have had meetings and media appointments left and right.  I promise, especially to you Grandma, that I will continue to become better at fitting this in.

I was led into a spot of great conviction last week, as my devotion time brought me to 2 Samuel and the last words of David.  As the scripture tells of David's mighty men, I was brought to places in my own life where I've found myself in the same position (if I'm no longer in the same spot) as the "man after God's own heart."  In the scripture, David was thirsty and longed for some water.  It is said he cried out longingly for the water from the well, near the gate of Bethlehem.  If you do not know this story, I ask that you would read the context, for David sat in the stronghold while Philistine soldiers were by that very well.  It was not logical to retrieve water from that source, but something in David's voice sent three of his thirty mighty men to confront the Philistines.

As I read this story over and over again, I began to ask myself what that water represented in my life.  What have I desired so strongly that I would risk the lives of three of my closest companions to obtain?  The answers were certainly not clear, as I have not sent any men or women towards possible death for my desires, but they were not comfortable either, as I found myself too often choosing desires that have negative effects on the lives of people around me. 

I continued to read the story, and I became further discomforted.  I found no comfort in how the story progressed, because the story was not simply talking about having selfish or sinful desires that affected others around me.  The story, in fact, was about how we respond to receiving our desires.  You see, those three mighty men tore through the Philistine lines and brought water back to their king.  However, their king did not drink merrily nor quench his thirst.  Before the Lord, David poured out that water, recognizing it as the possible blood of those three men he sent out. 

You see, David realized he was not worthy to drink that water.  He did not deserve to have those men risk their lives to water him down.  But he was blessed by their efforts, and he dedicated that water to the Lord rather than hoarding the blessing to himself.  Do you know what happens when you hoard the blessings that God bestows upon you?  You begin to grow bitter towards God, for your selfish appetite can never be satisfied.  I know I've bounced all over tonight, but I want to encourage you the same way I encouraged the HS chapel I spoke to this week.  Pour out the blessings you receive.  If you receive something that you don't need, don't keep it.  Simply pass it on, pour it out, and let the Lord do what He will with that sacrifice you make.

Love,
Bob