In late May 2010, when the Tropical Storm Agatha had finally finished its course, a 330-foot-deep sinkhole opened in downtown Guatemala City. Like all sinkholes, this one caused the ground to collapse suddenly; but in this case it also sucked land, electricity polls, a three-story factory building, and even a security guard into its deadly pit. The government was also working with 300 neighbors of the sinkhole whose lives and homes were still endangered.

According to a report in The Christian Science Monitor, sinkholes in the United States are most common in Florida, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. The ground beneath these states is rich in easily-dissolved rock types. When enough water seeps into these formations, they collapse, creating the large crater known as a sinkhole. Land that looked stable and strong on the surface suddenly collapses, often producing havoc for anyone who lives near the sinkhole.

Unfortunately, our interior lives can sometimes resemble the danger zone of a sinkhole. When we're too busy to spend time with God; or when we refuse to deal with past hurts, habitual sin, secret addictions, or character flaws, we're setting ourselves up for a collapse. The surface of our life may look stable and secure, but underneath the exterior, we're actually sitting on a fragile base. The storms of life-or even just the normal process of living-can suddenly expose our hidden vulnerabilities, causing a spiritual and relational sinkhole to open up.*

Opening up our schedules to spend time with our Creator is so vital to the spiritual healthiness of our daily journey.  We NEED to pause, take time out, and go to the only One who can answer life's toughest issues that may be bubbling beneath the surface.

Let me challenge you to spend some quality time with your God today.  Set aside an hour to talk with Him, to share your needs, pain, struggles, and desires with the One Who loves you most.

Have a great day and God bless!

Pastor Mike / The Open Word