We are having a heat spell. Today it got up to 94* Fahrenheit.
Since we do not have AC in our house, we are creative when it comes to staying cool. And to this end I purchased a watermelon. As the temps rose today, I looked forward in anticipation to the delicious goodness of our watermelon.
However, when I cut the watermelon open … it was bad on the inside. I was sooooo disappointed!
Never in my life have I ever purchased a bad watermelon before.
It looked like a good watermelon from the outside.
When I “thumped” on it, it sounded like a good watermelon (as best as I could tell).
But it was bad on the inside.
I couldn’t help thinking: “Can I eat it anyway?? Is it really that bad??” I had been so looking forward to the watermelon! I got a spoon and scooped out a small bit, then took a tiny nibble.
It tasted every bit as “ick” as it looked.
Sadness.
At least the animals will be happy … especially in this heat. I carried each half of the bad watermelon to the edge of the back ravine and heaved each half off into the depths below.
I couldn’t help but think of the verse: “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” – Matthew 7:22-23
Jesus is warning us that there are many people who have all the outward appearances of being a “good” religious person. But on the inside their heart is just like the bad watermelon I wound up with. Ick on the inside.
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony [lying], slander.” – Matthew 15:19
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” – Proverbs 4:23
As I sit here this evening, with the temperature slowing making its way down from the 90’s, and still sad about the bad watermelon I had to throw off the cliff … it would behoove each of us to examine our own heart to see if we are a “good watermelon” or if we are a watermelon which looks good by all outward appearances, but in reality there’s ick on the inside.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; … See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” – Psalm 139:23-24
