This week, Pastor Brent brought us a word straight from his heart—and his experience getting dirty in the pouring rain. The story began with a flooded church parking lot and a culvert completely clogged by sticks, mud, and even… dead animals! As he and his friend worked for hours to clean it out, a spiritual parallel started to form.
Pastor Brent challenged us to look at the “culverts” in our lives—those emotional blockages, traumas, doubts, or “sticks” that keep the Holy Spirit from flowing freely through us. Sometimes it’s religious tradition, fear of the supernatural, or unconfessed sin. And too often, even when we know what God is pruning away, we stack up these “sticks” instead of burning them—holding onto things that keep us stagnant.
Scripture Focus:
John 15:1-10 – Jesus is the Vine, we are the branches. He calls us to remain in Him, to let go of what’s not bearing fruit, so that we can bear much fruit to the Father’s glory!
Three Steps to a Clean Culvert:
- Clean Out the Sticks: Identify and confess the areas of doubt, pride, fear, or tradition blocking God’s flow in your life.
- Burn the Sticks: Don’t hold on to what God is cutting away. True change and repentance mean letting go.
- Stop Waiting for Someone Else: Don’t assume someone else will do the dirty work—get involved, use your gifts, and let God multiply them for His Kingdom!
Next Steps and Challenge:
Is God nudging you about an old hurt, a tradition, or a sin you need to release? Pray about it. Even if it feels uncomfortable, let the Holy Spirit work in those places—it’s how we learn to trust Him and become fruitful.