My friend Jim likes to sing on long bike rides.
Jim knows one verse of about a million songs. We’ll be cranking along and he’ll just start singing in his rich, baritone voice, the sort of voice that imprints a chorus on your brain so it pops up weeks later when you’re riding alone and you can’t get rid of it.
On this year’s FREEDOM TOUR Jim sang an old folk song called DESERT PETE.
It’s a story of a thirsty traveler crossing a hot, dusty desert who encounters a water pump in the middle of nowhere. Attached to the pump is a note from Desert Pete.
The note explains that despite its old, dry appearance, the pump works just fine. Pete even includes maintenance details. However, there’s a small catch.
The pump must be “primed.”
Before it will work, a small amount of water must be poured into it. The note tells where Pete hid a small jar containing just enough water to prime the pump.
The thirsty man faces a dilemma. He can drink the small jar of water and satisfy his immediate thirst.
Or he can trust Desert Pete and potentially have all the water he wants. The song’s chorus says:
“You’ve got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe”
“You’ve got to give of yourself ‘fore 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”
What should he do? Desert Pete might be some crazy man. Or maybe he hasn’t been around for years and the pump’s rusted beyond use. If so, then he’ll waste his only water pouring it down a worthless pump.
The man wavers before finally deciding to trust Desert Pete. He primes the pump and is rewarded with an unlimited supply of cool, refreshing water.
The song comes across as a story of trust and faith. I’ve always thought there was something else, almost lost in the last line of the chorus.
# # #
I think it’s a story about generosity.
The jar contained barely enough water to sustain this traveler on his journey, but what about the next guy? Priming the pump not only repaid this man more than he needed, it allowed him to provide for another thirsty traveler.
I’ve always pictured Desert Pete hanging out in the distance whenever someone approached his pump. If someone drank the water he’d wait until they left, then refill it from his own supply. Whenever someone trusted, splashed and bathed, and carefully replaced the full jar, Pete just smiled quietly.
# # #
Desert Pete offered the choice we all have: cling to what we have, or hold it in open hands, prime the pump, and trust God for the outcome. Beyond that, though, is a heart issue.
Do I prime the pump because I hope to get something in return, expecting God to “repay” me for my generosity?
Or…do I prime the pump because I believe I’m blessed to be a blessing to others?
If you’d like to watch a YouTube video of the DESERT PETE, click here.
Please leave a comment here.
