Hot enough for ya?
Sorry, just had to ask. And no, I'm not writing this from my air-conditioned home. Around here we rely on fans and good old fashioned shade!
According to the National Weather Service, the state of Michigan (and much of the Midwest) is experiencing moderate drought conditions. Of course, one just needs to take a look around to know we're experiencing drought. Lawn after lawn is dry and brown, with patches of green only to be found where weeds, shade or septic systems are present. In cooler weather our lack of watering may go unnoticed, but the heat really brings the issue to the forefront.
Sorry, just had to ask. And no, I'm not writing this from my air-conditioned home. Around here we rely on fans and good old fashioned shade!
According to the National Weather Service, the state of Michigan (and much of the Midwest) is experiencing moderate drought conditions. Of course, one just needs to take a look around to know we're experiencing drought. Lawn after lawn is dry and brown, with patches of green only to be found where weeds, shade or septic systems are present. In cooler weather our lack of watering may go unnoticed, but the heat really brings the issue to the forefront.
If a spiritual drought was as visible as the meteorological drought, how would you be looking?
Yikes!
That's quite a thought isn't it? What if our spiritual condition was visible not only to us but to everyone? Or maybe it already is, especially when life "heats up" and we find ourselves in circumstances not of our choosing.
God refers to Himself as "Living Water" both in the Old Testament (Jeremiah 2:13, 17:13) and the New Testament (John 4:10-14). Not spending time with Him in prayer and reading His Word, the Bible, produces spiritual drought conditions in us that will become more evident as the stress piles up and the lack of Living Water continues.
Living in the shade does have its advantages. My lawn (above) isn't looking too bad these days, especially when I compare it to the majority of others I see. Of course, if one looks closely they'll see that the green ends the same place the shade does and the brown is creeping in. I haven't been watering my lawn and with this heat it's beginning to show.
This is the type of spiritual "lawn" some of us have. Maybe you're coasting on your parent's faith, or you've been to church or around Christians enough to know how your life should look - at least as long as no one is looking too closely. Perhaps you think showing up at church for one hour a week is enough. For many years I didn't know there was anything else. But without the Living Water consistently flowing into your life on a daily basis, your spirit begins to dry up. This will become evident sooner rather than later in times of distress.
This is my neighbor's lawn - the kind of grass I'd like to walk through barefoot (though I restrained myself for this photo since I was wearing my tennis shoes and pushing a stroller.) It's obvious to everyone passing by that it's getting water daily, just as it's obvious when you encounter someone who is regularly receiving Living Water.
This is my neighbor's lawn - the kind of grass I'd like to walk through barefoot (though I restrained myself for this photo since I was wearing my tennis shoes and pushing a stroller.) It's obvious to everyone passing by that it's getting water daily, just as it's obvious when you encounter someone who is regularly receiving Living Water.
Now, I could say my neighbor is totally cheating by using underground sprinkling, but the truth is he invested his time and resources to have it installed and maintain it. It may appear that it's easier for others to spend time with God, but sometimes looks can be deceiving. When it comes right down to it, we're each responsible for finding the time to invest in the Lord.
Of course, no one is perfect. Even the most disciplined follower of Jesus is going to have days when they don't spend the time with Him that they'd like to. (And believe me, the better you get to know Jesus, the more time you'll want to spend with Him!) That's why it's so important to memorize Scripture. It's like an underground sprinkling system for your soul! It may take some time and effort to commit Scripture to memory but once you do, it's there on those days when you'd otherwise be running dry!
This creek brings life to its banks wherever it flows. God wants Christians to do the same thing - bring His life to those around us wherever we go.
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” ~ John 7:38
By definition, in a moderate drought you'll find:
- Some damage to crops and pastures.
- High risk of fire.
- Low streams, reservoirs, or wells.
- Some water shortages developing or imminent.
- Voluntary water use restrictions requested.
Similarly, in a spiritual drought there may be:
- Some damage to relationships.
- High risk of impatience.
- Low tolerance.
- Shortage of peace and contentment.
- Lack of Living Water
How is your "lawn" looking? Are you showing signs of drought?
The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail. ~ Isaiah 58:11
Lord, I thank you for Your Living Water that is always available to me. Give me the discipline I need to spend time with you daily, not only so I may be refreshed, but so I may be a refreshment to those around me.
Lisa
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Thanks. I love this!
Oh wow, what an amazing illustration! I clicked on the link thinkin' "Yeah, Montana IS in a drought this year!" lol.....Then I find a wonderful picture of what our lives look like when we don't nourish it the way it's intended to be nourished. Thank you, thank you for the reminder!
Danielle
organizationalhysteria.com
Very good. Our droughts are always of our own doing.
We were definitely thinking along the same lines this week :) Have a blessed day, hopefully with some rain!
I think I may be experiencing the first signs of a spiritual drought.
beautifully written. Yesterday we were out trying to water and revive the lawn. Everything's so dry. I love the analogy to our lives in Him. Wishing you a beautiful Sonday
OH I just loved reading this...I had written something similar about Living Waters many months ago....I love the signs and symptoms you listed for the natural drought compared to the spiritual drought....excellent!! Thanks for sharing this! (and thankfully ,alhto here in eastern NY we are waiting for much needed rain, I can say I am actually NOT in a drought season spiritually....I've had to press in to stay healthy this summer (healthy spiritually I mean) and GOd is so faithful...He really is the LIVING wATER our thirsty souls crave!!).
Nice job with this post, Lisa! You make the physical and spiritual comparisons well. I like the thought that memorization is like the underground sprinkler system. It is definitely a resource that keeps us watered. I'm in Indiana so I know what you're looking at. I'm amazed that many plants and trees are surviving this time. Then I think about how deep their roots must be reaching to find that life source. Let's go deep in him during the dry times and He will provide.
Thanks for timely thoughts.
Blessings.
Thank you for sharing at Tell Me a Story, about living water when we are thirsty. Your time of drought may soon be over, as you call down the rain. Texas is suffering too, and they are praying and saying "send the rain Lord." I liked your illustration about those being able to view if you were lacking water. It reminded of those dreams when we find ourselves naked, and hope no one can see us. Oh yes, cloth me in your righteousness Oh Lord.
Yes, we so need to rely on His water flowing through our hearts and lives.
Our area is filled with drought. The difference is we have one of the largest amount of water available to use the sprinklers. I do it as cautiously as possible, but don't want to let everything die... yet! We are all facing a tough stretch of life. Worth lifting to the Lord... our only way of dealing with it.