There’s been a rising trend in the writing community of stories in six words. Its roots can be traced to a six-word story that is loosely linked to Ernest Hemingway: “For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn.” The power of words never ceases to amaze, and it’s interesting to find combinations of brief words to illicit an emotional response. Here are some other six word stories:

Brought roses home. Keys didn’t fit.
“Wrong number”, says a familiar voice.
Dad left. A flag came back.

If you had to sum up Christianity—the Christian walk, following Jesus—if you had to do this in six words, what would your six word story be?

Sin separated but cross makes bridge.
Begins with cross, ends with life.
Not easy, does not make sense.

“Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ When the jars had been filled, he said, ‘Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.’ So the servants followed his instructions.
When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. ‘A host always serves the best wine first,’ he said. ‘Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!’ This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.” (John 2:6-11)

If you ask anyone what Jesus’ first miracle was, those familiar with the Bible could tell you it was turning water into wine. The way He went about it was pretty unusual. One gallon of water weighs 8.31 pounds, so thirty gallons of water would weigh 249.3 pounds—and that’s not including the weight of the jar itself, which would have been made of clay. “Fill the jars with water.” Sounds easy, but what Jesus was asking was not easy to do. Imagine what the servants must have felt when, after all the work it took to fill six thirty-gallon water jars, they were told to dip some out and take it to the master of ceremonies! As we read through the Scriptures (and when we put them into practice by following Jesus and obeying his commands), we find a lot of his commands are like this: not easy and don’t make sense—initially. Let’s look at a few more.

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

Not easy, does not make sense. If you have ever tried to put this into practice, you know this to be true. When you are persecuted by someone, the natural reaction is not to pray for that person. It’s not an easy thing to do and it doesn’t make sense—initially. This is the upside down way of Jesus and the Kingdom of God. It goes against our natural instinct, which is enveloped in our sinful nature. Jesus modeled everything He asked His followers to do. He loved His enemies and prayed for them. He even died for His enemies (us included) on the cross, and while on that cross He prayed for the people who were killing him! We can look to Jesus’ example to understand how to love like He loved. When we look to His example, obeying His commands will become easier and start to make more sense.

“Confess your sins to one another” (James 5:16)

This is one of the hardest things to do as a Christ-follower. Tell someone your dirty secrets. Confessing your sins is not easy to do and initially it doesn’t make sense; in fact, it seems like the exact opposite thing to do. The lie that Satan tells is that if you’ve sinned then you need to cover it up and keep it to yourself! As followers of Christ we are called to confess our sins to God and to one another. It’s not easy and it doesn’t make sense initially, but when we experience the forgiveness that waits on the other side of confession, we can grow to understand the importance of confessing our sins and keeping no secrets.

“All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them” (John 14:23)

It’s only when we walk closer with Jesus, by studying the Bible and remaining in constant prayer, that we grow to understand His great love for us. Through that understanding, we can better obey His commands. Things that seem too hard or confusing begin to make sense in the Light of Christ. At first it may not be easy and it may not make much sense, like filling up six thirty-gallon jars of water and taking a cup of water to a host who is expecting wine. We need to be faithful and obedient like those servants. Even though what Jesus asks of us may not be easy or make much sense, He is worthy of our trust and obedience. If you love Him, you will do what He says. The servants obeyed and experienced a miracle. What miracle might you experience if you obey what Christ is telling you to do? It may not be easy or make much sense, but walk closer with the Lord; don’t focus on your understanding of things—just obey. 

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.