Bad Water and Your Work

Perhaps you saw our demonstration of water filtration, able to take some of the dirtiest water and filter it 99.9999% pure from all biological contaminants. Perhaps you also were able to see how delivering water filtration kits to impoverished areas like western Kenya can have a huge impact on a family finally getting reliable, clean water to drink and wash with. And perhaps it's easier to see some of these basic principles when they are far removed from your personal situation.

Why are there water-borne diseases? These diseases are devastating, and able to wipe out entire populations - all from contaminants that are so small that we have to use kidney dialysis technology in order to affordably filter them out. Why do such things exist? Beyond the physical causes (improper sanitation, inadequate water treatment, mixed-use sources, etc.), what is the reason for these diseases?

Ultimately, because of the Curse. Because man rebelled against God, this Creation is fallen and in many ways, and conspires against the flourishing of man. Water-borne diseases are part of that conspiracy. So we can say that these diseases are collateral damage of an ongoing cosmic spiritual battle.

Therefore, we can also say that water filtration has a spiritual significance. The process is purely mechanical, fitting neatly within all the applicable rules of physics in a completely naturalistic process. But it is spiritually significant. Water filtration is part of the fight in the great spiritual battle of the Universe, fought on the battlefield of drinking water.

Believe it or don't believe it, it's at least easy to comprehend. This is not a hard concept to grasp. And so it's not hard to see how those who make water filters are part of the great battle (whether or not they know it). It's not hard to see how those who distribute water filters are part of the great battle. It's not hard to see how those who finance the distribution of water filters are part the great battle, even if it's a very thin slice of a much larger reality.

Now let's bring this home to your vocation and your work. Maybe it's not so obvious as water filtration, but using this as an example, can you look at your work through this lens? Can you see how your work could well be part of the great battle of the Universe? Is there some chaos that you bring order to? Is there some harm that you bring prevention or healing to? Is there some ignorance that you bring light to? Is there some brokenness that you bring wholeness to? Is there some rebellion that you contain? Is there some way you battle against the effects of the Fall?

Can you see how the work of your hands fits into the great cosmic spiritual battle played out in our Universe? If so, then you can see how your work is spiritually significant, even if it involves strictly physical processes. A mighty weapon in the spiritual battle can be as simple as a water filter.

D17 Part 6: Discipleship of the Whole Person

Perhaps your introduction to "discipleship" was like mine - basically equated with the "spiritual disciplines" (daily Scripture reading, prayer, simplicity, fasting, etc.). How do you disciple someone? Teach them the spiritual disciplines! How am I doing as a disciple? Well, my spiritual disciplines are going well, so I'm doing well as a disciple!

I am in no way diminishing the importance of the spiritual disciplines and how they relate to discipleship. They are crucial, and disciples simply don't grow much at all without them. But they aren't the same thing as discipleship. We need them, but they aren't sufficient. They facilitate spiritual formation, but there's far more to spiritual formation.

Consider the following:

• Jesus tells the experts in the Law that disciples love the Lord their God with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:28-31). Not just spiritually, but physically, emotionally, and mentally. Not just a half-hour every morning, but every bit of every part of you. Being a disciple involves every part of your life, including loving your neighbor as yourself (v. 31).
• Jesus tells the Pharisees that discipleship is far more than just the religious duties, like tithing. Rather, following Jesus involves pursuing justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matt 23:23). There's a societal element to following Jesus. Disciples are disciples in part by seeking out the societal good.
• James says that real religion is to minister to the vulnerable, such as widows and orphans (James 1:27). This is another example of societal mercy, but focuses on a heart for individuals in their distress. Following hard after Jesus cannot be accomplished while ignoring one's neighbor, especially the ones in need. In the next chapter, James chastises any religious man who would ignore those without adequate clothing and food (James 2:15-16).

That brings us to the sixth of seventeen truths of discipleship (the "D17"):

Discipleship must be holistic.*

Discipleship is not just about one's spiritual health! It's about our minds, our hearts, and even every ounce of strength. It's about our role in society, adding value to our neighborhood, working for justice, meeting the needs of those in want. If we are to love the Lord our God with all our strength, then discipleship includes things like diet and exercise! How you treat your neighbor is part of following Jesus. Holistic.

You've likely heard the Hebrew word Shalom. Often translated as "peace," it means so much more than that. Shalom includes wellness, health, sufficiency, relationships, and so on. It's holistic. There's "peace" with society, with finances, at one's borders, in each corner of life. Discipleship pursues every aspect of Shalom. Holistic.

I just heard a friend talk about the "edge." The "edge" is where Shalom and chaos are at war. Chaos in its various forms is the opposite of Shalom. Where we feel distress is at the "edge," where these two concepts do battle in the war theater of our lives. We experience chaos and then crave Shalom.

That is why discipleship must be holistic.

* This statement about discipleship is taken from the teachings of Caesar Kalinowski.