Around the ancient city of Jerusalem was a wall of protection that provided valuable security and protection making it one of the safest cities in the region. Only David was able to conquer the city taking advantage of one of its few vulnerabilities, the watercourse that brought fresh water from the Gihon Springs into the city.
The city had several gateways for those coming in and out of the city. Some got their name from the practical activities that when on around those gates: The Sheep Gate was near the farmers market and where sheep were bought and sold for food as well as for the temple service and sacrifice. The water gate was adjacent to to the fresh water springs. The dung gate was near the dump where animal droppings and refuse were carried out of the city.
In our missionary life, we have learned to use the dung gate as a vital necessity for our spiritual life and ministry. The dung gate has been a place to also meet with God. He has spoken to us many times as we have had to take the accumulated refuse we have experienced in our minstry and get rid of it. Reading Max Lucado’s book, TRAVELING LIGHT, has given me an important reminder of how important it is to get rid of the excess baggage that I have been carrying needlessly. There have been some disappointments and heartbreaking experiences that have added a lot of extra weight to my baggage that I have been dragging around. To keep dragging the accumulation around with me is totally unnecessary.
I need to visit the dung gate and get rid of these things. Sadly, I have gotten rather busy lately and told myself that I am OK, I can manage on my own. I will get down there later when I finish this other stuff first. It just takes time to go visit the dung gate. Its kind of like asking your son to take out the garbage while his favorite TV show is on. “Aww Dad, can I just finish my show first?” I guess I am realizing that I say that to the Lord a little too much myself.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dung_Gate
I find it interesting that this is the closest working gate near the temple. That tells me that maintaining my worship also requires frequent trips to the dung gate. It also reminds me that I am probably going to have more opportunities to encounter the Lord if I frequent the dung gate. Take time to take out the garbage and the refuse of life and I will return to worship and be refreshed in the presence of God.
Another important fact is that when we properly deal with our garbage and dung, we can make compost that can be transformed into fertilizer for our gardens. God is the best recycler we could ever learn from. He is able to transform anything worthless into something of value. From a clump of earth he formed man, and fashoned around a rib a beautiful woman. God never even wastes suffering. We might like to walk away from our painful experiences, but if we don’t handle them properly, they will accumulate and infect our emotions with anger and increased frustration. By giving our pain and suffering to Jesus, he recycles them all into that which can produce an even richer life.
God loves to make us even more fruitful. Let’s get rid of all the things that weigh us down, download what tires us out, and get free!
