Lesson 103: Keeper of the Spring

Kentucky Chaplain David Chaltas

My friend Pastor Mark Wagoner paid a visit to the Center this week and as we were talking, he mentioned the story of the Keeper of the spring. I was unfamiliar with the story, so he related it to me. It came from former Senate Chaplain, Dr. Peter Marshall. It goes something like this. There once was a beautiful spring that possessed the purest of water, with swans and other lovely waterfowl gracing the pond. An old caretaker was responsible for keeping it clean and he would be seen several times a day walking the shore cleaning and picking up twigs. The pond was fed by an underground spring that bubbled forth from the earth.

The overseers of the spring decided that due to financial problems, they would have to make some adjustments in order to keep the springs out of debt. So they decided to let the old man go. Soon they discovered that the water began to smell and possessed debris that was not only polluting the pond but also was reducing the number of beautiful waterfowl visiting the area. Realizing their error, they asked the old man to return and continue managing the spring.

I found this very timely, as I was pondering what to write about for a lesson. The past Sunday, I held a small service at the Bleak House (Confederate Museum), located on Kingston Road in Knoxville, Tennessee last Sunday. My topic was taken from Romans 12:1-20. I discussed the importance of becoming a living sacrifice and that we must humble ourselves in the service to others. I talked of the gifts that each person possesses and that we are asked to use those gifts accordingly for the glory of God. Romans 12:3-6 states, "Not to think of himself more highly than one ought to think, but to think soberly, each according to the measure of faith that God as apportioned. For as in one body we have many parts, and all the parts do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually parts of one another." Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them. Each of us has a purpose. Each of us has a function. We all need each other. During that terrible war, all were equal on the battlefield. Most were privates, while some were captains, colonels, and few were generals but all had a mission and a purpose. All made up the body of the army. We must remember that the smallest mite given with rejoicing is greater than the rich man's offerings for show. We can only make a difference together. Each finger, toe, blood cell is important in the body of Christ. YOU are a vital part of His body. Won't you embrace your purpose and be the Keeper of the spring? I remain your obedient servant, the old general.