Drink Your Water! (Mar. Link 2007)

If you’ve ever participated in construction or laid block you know that it is hard core work, especially when you are in the hot tropical sun. It can be extremely rewarding, however, as you watch walls go up where merely a foundation stood before. In fact, you can become so focused and caught up in making progress, that you put off stopping to take a break to rest and drink water. I knew this was apt to be the case, from previous mission trips I’d been on. So being as I was the nurse for our mission trip, and thus responsible for ensuring that our team stayed well hydrated, I asked a couple of girls if they would take on the essential role of making sure that we were all drinking water regularly.

And so they did. They organized our water bottles together according to the groups we were working in and came around routinely, urging “Drink your water!” Often I was glad to see them coming, because they made sure our bottles were filled with cool water, which refreshed and renewed our energy as the blazing sun barbequed us. But sometimes, I would insist on laying a few more blocks, or put them off for awhile, in my determination to push ahead and make more progress. Fortunately, they were persistent and insistent.

Friends, I have especially become focused, consumed, and caught up in making progress in my own life during the last several weeks. Projects to take care of around my house, cleaning, laundry/ironing, yard work/mowing, all make demands for my time (not to mention trying to fit in my regular work hours)!! The list of things awaiting my attention and energy can feel like an overflowing inbox in which the bottom of the basket never seems to be in sight!

Upon my return from the mission trip, the devil has been working extra hard and relentlessly to try and break down my relationship with Jesus. Up until recently, he has succeeded, distracting me in countless ways in an attempt to blind me from the Source of Living Water, which he knows will quench and revive my parched and weary soul. He’s been trying to get me to sweat off my Water supply and not seek replenishment.

I am exhausted! I’ve allowed my life to become far too busy and fatigue is pulling me under. I’ve allowed the urgent to crowd out the important! Dehydration is causing my world to spin in circles and my vision to become blurry.

There is this struggle going on within me. I can faintly hear the voice of One who says “Come to Me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). “...Those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty...” (John 4:14). I keep insisting, “I can’t stop to rest yet. I must get these things done first. I must lay a few more ‘blocks’ before I take a break, in order to have sanity!” He says “Without taking part in My rest, without drinking of the power and strength I’m longing and ready to impart to you, you will never attain the sanity you are fighting for. In fact, you will drive yourself insane, insisting on accomplishing those things before you turn to Me. Please don’t wait, My child. Don’t wait until you collapse. Come unto Me. I’m waiting here with open arms.”

Perhaps you are weary too. Perhaps you are feeling drained, depleted, and overwhelmed. Perhaps you are about to, or have already collapsed. Just as surely as our bodies require physical water to survive, dimensions more so our hearts and souls are in need of Jesus, the Living Water, to fill, replenish, and sustain us! He is the Answer and Solution to the mountains we are facing. He alone can provide the perspective, rest, courage and strength that we need. Whether it is an endless task list that looms before us, daunting papers and exams, or juggling schedules, family, and work, He wants to be there for us!

The devil has been practicing the art of distraction for thousands of years. More than anything, he wants to prevent us from developing a stronger relationship with Jesus. He wants to drain and keep us separated from our Water Supply. He’s trying to dehydrate us, because he knows that if we get even a few sips of Jesus, we will discover that He satisfies and empowers us like nothing and no one else!

There will always be more to do, more to pour our time and energy into. Our society is racing at a frantic pace and will drag us along with it if we are not careful, leaving us utterly exhausted and parched. We must make time on a regular basis to come and drink deeply from the well of the Water of Life. It’s backwards to rationalize that we are too busy to take time for God. Rather, we are too busy not take time for God. There is just too much on our plates and too much headed in our direction for us to believe that we can face it on our own. In John 15:5, Jesus says “...apart from Me you can do nothing.”

If you’ve heard it said in regards to physical water “by the time you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated,” it is equally true in the spiritual sense. Let’s not wait to feel thirsty! May He fill our cups and keep them filled!

That dear friends, is the beauty of a Savior!! Let Him scoop you up in His arms and carry you to green pastures and cool, refreshing waters. Let Him restore your soul! He is the Good Shepherd. Allow Him to care for you!

We have a Father who comes around routinely and at regular intervals, eager to fill our cups and bring us rest. Fortunately, He is persistent and insistent. Listen to His voice as he urges “My precious child, you are thirsty whether you realize it or not. I can quench your thirst. I am longing to. Read about Me, spend time with Me on a daily basis. Don’t wait until you collapse under the hot sun. I will give you rest. I will refresh, renew, and fill you with energy to face whatever lies before you. Drink your Water!!”