Keeper of the Spring

Peter Marshall, who, for many years, was chaplain to the US Senate, told a story of “The Keeper of the Springs.” High up in the hills above a village in the mountains, an old man served as the Keeper of the Springs. He patrolled the mountainside and made sure that the spring that supplied the village below with water was always clear of silt, leaves, and dead animals.

Each day, the water tumbled down to the town, cold and pure. Gardens were refreshed, lawns turned green, and people had their thirst quenched. Summer and winter, the townspeople drank from its coolness and washed in its freshness.

But the town faced a crisis. Times were hard, and the council had a budget to cut. Someone noticed a small amount of money committed to the salary of the Keeper of the Springs. They decided that they would release him from his duties and end his salary because most people seldom saw him, and therefore, they didn’t even know who he was. They also persisted in the hope that the water would probably stay just as pure without this unknown guardian.

For the first few weeks, the water seemed to be the same, clear and pure. But gradually a green scum developed on its surface and leaves clogged with dirt and debris floated on the water. After a while, sickness came to the village, and soon an epidemic raged, reaching into every home.

The town council met again in an emergency session. They realized they had made a bad mistake, so they appointed a delegation to climb up to the mountain, find the old man, and beg him to resume his former labors. Before long, pure water flowed down to the village again; children laughed and played on the banks of the stream as they had in days gone by.

The stream of today is polluted and toxic. It is deeper and wider than at any point in human history because it’s cumulative.  We’re standing at the headwaters of some strong currents. We are charged with the awesome responsibility of doing all we can to keep the water pure; to keep the central message of the gospel from being ignored or muddied.

Press on!

Pastor Brian Richard