Input ... Output

So, here's something to think about ... you can you have input without output, but you can't have output with out input. Right? I think so. Consider this: you fill a glass full of water (input), you may or may not have output - it depends on if the glass is turned upside down and poured out. But if there is not water poured into the glass (no input), then it is certain, there can be no output. Seems like a pretty simple concept. But I believe it is a concept that is central to a life that is set on following Jesus.

I was reminded of this concept tonight as I went to fill up an air mattress for my father-in-law (welcome to Richmond Jim). I took out the pump, disregarded a simple diagram offering instructions and set out to plug the thing up and fill up the mattress. After I struggled for a minute to get it connected properly (who needs directions?), I turned it on and waited for it to fill up. It was making kind of a funny noise; I thought nothing of it. Trey kept coming in and messing with it, and the noise would change, but still funny. Also, it wasn't really filling up like I had anticipated, hmm. So, finally I told Trey firmly that he was not to mess with it, and I lovingly escorted him out of the room. Then I thought back to the diagram that I had barely glanced at ... it was showing something about where the air comes in and the air goes out. Then I realized why the mattress wasn't filling up and the pump was making a funny noise. The intake was on the ground, with no chance for air to come in ... no input ... no output. That's a problem.

It was a problem for the mission of filling up an air mattress, but it's even more of a problem for the mission of following Jesus and inviting others to do the same. This mission is a mission of giving. If we are not receiving, we cannot give. If you ever notice that there seems to be little output in your life, consider whether you have made one of the blunders I made ... ignoring instructions, ignoring warning signs, blaming others (poor little Trey). These are all a hindrance to having an open input valve. And without input, there can be no output.