When friends
give us monikers this reflects two and only two things. They either see
something great or something grave in us. I always hope that it is because they
see something great. I think this way because I am more of an affirmation and
hates calling names that often bring disgrace to a person though it may be
intended as a joke. I do take names seriously!
The name “Sponge Beth” was self-inflicted.
This resulted from a unique experience in my long-time quest of knowing and
seeking God. Growing up in a so-called Christian home, with parents in
ministry, there is that underlying principle that one’s Christian growth is
directly proportional to the height of one’s knowledge of God. This is the very
reason why every Christian continually pursues the quest of knowing God whether
through formal education or personal discipline. And sad to say, I have
observed that the more degrees are added on one’s name, the more they lose
their relevancy in the task of building the Kingdom.
Some years
back, I was using the devotional book “Experiencing God” by Henry T. Blackaby.
In one of my readings, my heart was pounding and craving to know God more and
to experience His fullness. I was reasoning and pleading with God that He
reveals Himself to me in a very special way because it had been my desire to
know Him better and to understand His ways and His plans.
“Lord, I
really want to know You more, the fullness of You,” I prayed, “please… reveal
Yourself to me in a simple way that I can clearly understand.”
Deep within
my heart, in His still and small voice, He replied, “Beth, visualize Niagara Falls.
Imagine I am the Niagara Falls; tons and tons of My love; tons and tons of My
grace; tons and tons of My faithfulness; tons of tons of My forgiveness and tons of
tons of every bit of My character. These never stop but continue to flow and
pour daily even through the changes of the seasons. I am constant!”
As I
visualized Niagara Falls in my mind, I slowly understood what He meant. God is
great! He is overwhelming! He is Immeasurable! He is All Powerful! He is
Magnificent! He is Beautiful! He is More than Amazing! He is Constant! Human
words are not enough to describe Him!
As I continue
to absorb all these truths, I meekly inquired, “Lord, if you are like the
Niagara Falls, then what am I?”
“You are a kitchen sponge!”
I smiled at His reply. So true indeed! What is
a kitchen sponge in comparison to Niagara Falls? Nothing! I then realized that
my mind cannot contain God! He is an infinite God and man is so limited, so finite
and so minute.
I continued
my inquiry, “Lord, if I am a kitchen sponge, You are the Niagara Falls, then
what lesson do You want me to learn?”
“As a kitchen sponge, you will never
be able to contain the whole Niagara Falls,” He simply replied,
“but you have the choice whether to stay away from it and dry up or immerse
yourself in it and experience its cool rushing waters and be constantly fresh
and filled.”
It was so
liberating! As Beth, I will never be able to fully comprehend God in His
fullness. I am just a spot! A speck! A dot! Yet, God has given me the choice to
either stay away from His overflowing love, grace, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, mercy… or, immerse myself in it. I choose the latter.
I have learned that I
need not exert my brains to understand Him because my neurons and synapses will
explode with the information overload. God value our relationship with Him rather
than our quest of Him. He simply desires that we enjoy the experience of daily walking
with Him in this journey. And as our relationship with Him grows deeper He
reveals more of Himself to us. This is what experiencing God is all about!
At one Kababaihang Kabalikat ng ABCCOP Congress, you spoke of this... So many messages I have heard and read, but this is one lesson I always will treasure and remember about you. I'd rather be a sponge under God's "water" of unlimited love and grace than dry up to be of no use, too!