Deserts and water...

"Oh God, you are my God, earnestly i seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you in a dry and weary land where there is no water." Psalms 63:1
So...i've never been to a desert but i've heard stories. And lack of water is a big problem, right? i picture the classic movie shot of cracked and sunburned lips...the weary traveler resorting to crawling on their knees b/c they have lost strength even to stand...filed with a passionate thirst for water only to be teased by the desert mirage dancing on top the dusty sand. so...i've heard Christians use the analogy of "going through a dry spell" in their relationship with the Lord. i suppose all of us do at some point in our lives. Marriages usually have a point were they loose their "spark" (or something like that - i don't really know b/c i've never been married) and the couple really has to work at making their relationship last - INTENTIONAL. Some individuals loose their drive/passion for their job and feel like they are walking through a lifeless desert...b/c they no longer have a joy and excitement in what they do (i have definitely been here). You go into work and have to struggle to make it enjoyable - EFFORT. But what causes these "deserts," these "dry spells," these "lows" in our life?
My dad shared some wise words with my the other day...we were talking about encouraging others. With my personality i get a greater joy out of encouraging others, than if others encourage me (weird, right? but that's how i roll). My dad said when i loose joy, it is when i have my focus on MYself...and i'm not encouraging others. That may explain the little desert i've been walking through these past few weeks. i've been so focused on school and personal future plans and goals for myself and jobs etc. that i've totally abandoned doing and pursuing what i truly love - encouraging others in the Lord. This is just my personality - God has given each of us a personality. What you enjoy and the joy you receive doing this for the Lord looks different than me - looks different than him, or her...or her, or him...and him, and him...Each of us is different, but one thing is constant -when we go through these times in our life, most of the time we have stopped doing what the Lord has created us to do. Our focus is so busy on OURselves, that we loose focus on God.
So I'M BACK! was out-of-order there for a little bit, but back and running again :) but i realized how thirsty i've been - thirsty for the Word of God, time in prayer, my Friend. Walking alone in life is no fun...and walking through a desert is no fun either especially when you have no water. There may be "dry spells" in your life and they will be difficult to walk through, but let me tell you a secret - carry Water with you. Don't forget to pack water. Deserts are much more enjoyable when you have water (and you survive). Let Jesus be your water...but the cool thing is, you can't forget to pack Him along, because He is always there. He is in the valley. He is on the mountains. You may not see Him there, in the desert, but He is. And He is waiting to give you a drink. And He is not waiting to give you a drink on the other side of this desert - He's waiting to give you a drink RIGHT NOW.
"Oh God, you are my God, earnestly i seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you in a dry and weary land where there is no water." Psalms 63:1

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Unexpected Waters Carried Me to the Rock

Two years ago, I was sitting on the end of a treadmill...crying...and pouring out my heart before the Lord, extremely frustrated with my life circumstances. Having just recently graduated from an academic university with two degrees, huge dreams and ambitions lingering in my mind, and yet... I was still single, living with my parents, working full time wiping old people's butts for a living and seeing no hope for the future  ...not how I pictured my life after college. God, in His gentle voice, whispered sweet words of love in my ear...reminding me that life is a gift, bringing to mind that this is not my home, and reassuring me that He has a plan for my life that is greater than my plans...once again teaching me the humbling reality of surrender and cultivating a heart of thankfulness for my current circumstances.  ...lessons that have come to mind frequently over the last two years. I realized that each day I get to inspire people to greatness, push individuals to their ...
Read more

Waterfall

Salty water drops threatening to take the plunge over the precipice to their doom. Undaunted by the heights, they teeter at the edge. Their kinsmen closely pressing in from behind. No room for hesitation, yet mid jump...second thoughts. They grope the lashes, Desperately clinging, fighting to remain, to stay...to go back home. Their master, silent, unwavering gaze fixed on the white wall, No longer steered by emotions And numbed by the nightly ritual. One blink of an eye, they are pushed to their death The waterfall...release... Gushes of past spoke of bony fingers interrupting their descent. New drops free falling to their destiny. The muffled funeral chant buried deep in Egyptian cotton.
Read more

Day 1 of the treasure hunt...

Image
This morning i bounced out of bed in anticipation and excitement of seeking my treasure...after working with my client at 6am i opened up the Word (which is unheard of for me early in the morning). After the inspiration of memorizing 1 Peter i jumped into my car and headed to work. I unconsciously flipped on the radio, only to second think it and turn it off. The silence was daunting but refreshing. Soon prayers and praise started streaming through my mouth like no body was watching. Absolutely refreshed and alive, i pulled into work. Work was long and studying this afternoon was dreadfully boring, but b/c i had my eyes on Jesus everything was in perspective and no bad attitudes! Praise the Lord! I do not say any of this to boast...i'm not perfect but i was just so encouraged by the power of the Holy Spirit working in my life. I know what i'm like when i am not full of the Spirit and it isn't pretty or attractive. But i saw a little glimpse of God's character through my...
Read more