“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 ESV
I love all types and genres of music, including folk music, and especially folk music from the 50s, 60s, and 70s (Think Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Pete Seger, Woody Guthrie, et al). Live performances make it all the better. One of the appeals of folk music is that the songs often tell a story. Last year, Bonnie and I were blessed to see The Kingston Trio up close and personal at Main Street Crossing, a great live music venue right down the road in Tomball. They were one of my favorite groups growing up, and they sang all their familiar hits, including one called, Desert Pete.
Desert Pete was written by Billy Edd Wheeler (who also wrote Jackson for Johnny Cash and June Carter). The song is based on a letter found in a baking-powder can wired to the handle of a rusty old pump on a very long and seldom-used trail across Nevada's Amargosa Desert. It read, "This pump is all right as of June 1932. I put a new sucker washer into it, and it ought to last five years. But the washer dries out and the pump has got to be primed. Under the white rock I buried a bottle of water, out of the sun and cork end up. There's enough water in it to prime the pump, but not if you drink some first. Pour about one-fourth and let her soak to wet the leather. Then pour in the rest medium fast and pump like crazy. You'll git water. The well has never run dry. Have faith. When you git watered up, fill the bottle and put it back like you found it for the next feller. (signed) Desert Pete. P.S. Don't go drinking the water first. Prime the pump with it and you'll git all you can hold."
Imagine you are traveling across the desert, hot and thirsty, with little hope of relief, when you see the rusty old pump and the note in the baking powder can. After reading Desert Pete’s note, what do you do? Drink the water and let those that follow fend for themselves? Drink a little and use the rest to prime the pump, hoping old Desert Pete was wrong? Or do you have faith and use the water as directed?
Like the little boy whose Sunday School teacher asked, “What’s brown, furry and eats nuts.” He replied, “I know the answer is ‘Jesus,’ but it sure sounds like a squirrel to me.” We know what the real answer is, but can we honestly say that it would be our answer?
The chorus of the Kingston Trio song says, “You’ve got to prime the pump; you must have faith and believe. You’ve got to give of yourself before you’re worthy to receive. Drink all the water you can hold. Wash your face, cool your feet. Leave the bottle full for others. Thank you kindly. Desert Pete.” There are some great spiritual truths in those words. Notice that we not only “must have faith and believe,” we must “give of ourselves before we’re worthy to receive.” Once we have enjoyed the blessings that result from our own faith, we should “leave the bottle full for others,” so that they may enjoy the blessings, as well. And notice that we don’t have to have faith for them; only to give them the same opportunity that we have to exercise their own faith. That is only possible as long as the bottle is left full.
My friends, we have enjoyed the blessings of God on our wonderful church for many years because those before us have had vision, faith, and “left the bottle full.” As we continue to drink of those blessings, we. Too, must have faith and “leave the bottle full” for those who follow in the years to come. As we embark on our capital campaign, please prayerfully consider how you will give to ensure the future of St. Dunstan’s. In doing so, you help ensure that the bottle will be full.
Prayer: Gracious God, in this desert journey called life, you have provided everything we need and have blessed us beyond measure here at St. Dunstan’s. Help us to continue to trust You and act in faith, always leaving the bottle full for others. Amen.
Blessings,
Fr. Steve+
n.b. – Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08kEFELCb3I to hear Desert Pete by the Kingston Trio.
