I would be very surprised if there are many people who have not heard of the amazing Television sales product “Shamwow. Its ability to soak up fluids is said to be phenomenal.
It is just that phenomenon that is the theme of today’s writing. I believe it is a good analogy of what we are meant to be to God’s Holy Spirit.
God longs that we would His witnesses and Christ’s co-partners, that we would leave an impression on the environment wherever we go. Whether that is to clean up some mess or to pour oil on troubled waters, the sham-wow advertisement applies in both instances. We are told to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The reason for that is so that as we touch someone or somewhere we might be empowered to exude into that situation Holy Spirit love or correction.
We can only do this if we are filled to overflowing with Holy Spirit so that as life squeezes in on us the Spirit of God flows from our pores. Life does have a way of pushing in on us, so we need not do more than be God’s presence in life to allow His spirit to impress upon our environment.
The advertisement shows this perfectly. As the actor places the product in the fluid so the fluid is drawn into the shammy, and apart from some incidental drips it is taken up, gone, and it stays that way so long as no pressure is placed upon the shammy itself. If it is placed somewhere then picked up the impression of the cloth leaves a damp mark. Place pressure on the cloth and the fluid cascades out ready to soak up the next thing, or spill. This is the idea that illustrates what God has for us.
There are a number of verses that have this fluid content idea. God pours His spirit into the hearts of believers and just as significantly Paul writes to some churches that his life is to be poured out, just as Christ poured out His life at the Cross of Calvary.
God is generous to a fault if we will allow Him He will fill us with the power of spirit life to the extent that we cannot help but ooze Christ presence wherever we go. We sing about being filled with God’s love, about being a blessing, about being filled with the Holy Spirit. How much do we live the life that we sing about?
Further what should we do about it?
Never heard of a Shamwow, but a great illustration and application Brian.
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