Pipes often burst on the farm and it was quite a process to repair the leak. First, the big pump at the dam had to be switched off, since the water was bubbling from the ground and flowing down the road.

Then we had to get the spades and dig carefully so as not to damage the parts of the broken pipe. When you got to the pipe, it had to be cleaned with a cloth.

Then the part that had burst were cut out. The ends had to be dried, cleaned, and sanded, and only then, with a great deal of trouble, the new coupling, which meant there were two joints, was glued and pushed into the original pipe.

The pump could be switched on again after an hour or so. But first, the water in the pipe had to be let out at the lowest tap. With all the digging and working, the water became dirty and filled with mud, and it not only could not be used, but would also damage the irrigation equipment.

Only when all the water and mess had been washed away, the pipe could be used again for irrigating the land.

In a way, sin has the same effect in our lives. In the beginning, with a small sin, you don’t really notice the difference, but the more we allow sin into our lives, the dirtier and less usable we become.

If we allow our tongue to speak badly, we mess up our relationships with the people around us. Then, when we open our mouths, people start ducking. They try to avoid us – to protect themselves, I suspect. The ones with the sharp tongues become more and more cut off, until they are left all alone on the edges of life. The water too dirty to use.

That’s why we should all obey this instruction: ²¹So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage.

The tap of this overflowing stream of wrongdoing, this flood of anger, this bubbling sin that infects everything, and spread like a cancer, and destroys as far as it goes, must be closed.

We have to look intentionally where these uninvited guests have settled. Ask your loved ones, ask the people who work with you, or work for you. Ask those who are close to you in life, where they have to duck. Ask them where they can see the water turning dirty.

Search for the leak in the pipe where the dirty water enters. Remember, a pipe always bursts at the weakest spot. Then look for that weak place in your makeup and cut out everything.

May clear water flow from us and in that way, may we quench the thirst for the Gospel of the thirsty people around us.

Scripture
James 1:19-27

Reflection
Where are the leaks in your pipe?
How can you recognise the dirt in your life?
How can you get rid of all the dirt in your life?

Prayer
Lord, I know there are holes in my life where I allow the dirty stuff to get in. I know there are places where it wreaks havoc. Help me to recognise it and get it out of my life, so that I can give clean water to the people around me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.