| Reisterstown Baptist Church |
| 25 E. Chestnut Hill Lane - Reisterstown, MD 21136 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Ditch Diggers |
"
DIG DITCHES"
In 2 Kings Chapter 3 we come across a wonderful example of how trust works. Three Kings had set out to attack
their neighbor. Their cause was just, their resources sufficient, their victory anticipated and so they marched off with
joy and anticipation. After a week of marching aimlessly they arrived at the end of their resources, no water, no hope
and no victory. The situation was indeed dire. One King sought to blame God, a second seek him while the third
remained silent. All these years later not much has changed. Nothing so reveals our relationship with God than a
crisis. When the storms of life hit, when our resources are low, do we seek Him or blame Him.
In the event from Kings, the Kings come to Elisha and receive some strange advice. Dig ditches, fill the valley with
ditches. Dig ditches in the desert. Dig ditches where the 7-day, the 7 month or the seven-year forecast calls for zero
—precipitation. Dig ditches though you see no clouds. Dig ditches where you hear no storm. Trust God and dig.
They obeyed. The ditches were filled. The battle was won. They dug their ditches. This event is a reminder of the
truth that God's ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. We have not been called to
understanding but obedience. There are moments in every ministry, moments in every life when we will find
ourselves at a low point. A point where we have to determine not only to seek His will but be obedient to His way.
When we first arrived at Reisterstown Baptist Church, I was hoping to find a ministry that would get us out of the
walls. I spent a lot of time in prayer hoping for something that would be a possible match for us. Then I received a
call from the director of Inner Harbor ministry asking if we would like to become a partner in the "Feeding Ministry" at
Curtis Bay. As a church we committed to dig a ditch to help hurting families. I am uncertain of the number of people
who have ridden the van to the site and the number who have served in the kitchen or donated funds for the ministry
I don't know. I know that over the years thousands of meals have been served and we have made a difference. Last
month we served over 170 meals. Unfortunately, there was one meal we were unable to deliver. A man named
Chuck died on Tuesday. He passed away two days before our meal was served. I spoke with his good friend about
him. Chuck didn't have much, want much or expect much. They walked together to Curtis Bay every Thursday. Most
of the time Chuck was quiet but on the days when lie saw our van, he would smack his friend on the back and
exclaim, "we're eating good tonight pal, we're eating good tonight." His friend had a tear in his eye as he told me this.
Good thing, I hate to cry alone.
It's amazing what digging ditches can do. Sometimes we might change others. It will always change us. As we move
forward seek what ditches He would have you dig. I'll meet you in the valley. Bring your shovel and together we'll be
ditch diggers for Jesus.
In His Service, Pastor John Rudd
