Obviously, you want fresh water. So do I. But, in a literal sense, there was a moment not long ago that swamp water looked pretty good. It was a point I never imagined I'd reach.
We never think we'll be that far, but when we get there, all we can think about is quenching our thirst, not what happens afterward.
So before I start connecting this to the water of life God gives us, I need to tell a story. About a month ago, my dad and I went on a hunt. I'll skip the thrilling tale of our spotting and stalking a moose, and go right to the part after we were done cleaning and gutting my 60", 5 brow tine beauty.
It had been hot day full of walking and sitting in the heat, and we hadn't drank or ate anything for about 10 hours. When it was 6pm and we were ready to set back for camp, a 3 mile trek through rivers and swamps, we were beyond spent.Getting back to camp was probably the hardest thing we've ever set out to accomplish. We were dehydrated and hungry, and started getting delirious. We were nowhere near a trail, and started stumbling in the direction we thought was camp.
About 30 minutes into walking, I started hyperventilating. I was carrying a 60 lbs. pack, thirsty and hungry, and my vision was starting to spin. I needed water soon, or else we were about to have an emergency situation. So, we stopped, listened for the sound of water, and started in that direction. We dropped the meat we had, and walked as fast as our exhausted selves could, with reckless abandon, toward the sound of that water.
Along the way, if I'm being honest, that dirty swamp water I was stepping in with my bloody, gut covered boots looked really good. At one point, I even asked my dad how bad it could be to have one sip. Thankfully, he reminded me how terrible of an idea that was. But in the span of time we walked from the kill site to the creek, I contemplated drinking that swamp water more times than I can count.
When we finally got to the creek, I jumped in, shoes and all. I got soaked, and could not stop drinking the water that was bringing life back to my bones. Everything changed in that moment. I could take another step, I could breathe again, my vision was back, and I knew it was all going to be ok, no matter how long it took to get back to camp.
We did get back, over 3 hours later. But I will never forget that moment the fresh water hit my mouth. However, I didn't see how it related to my relationship with God until today at church.
That walk is our lives, and that water is what God has in store for us. The swamp water along the way is all the temptations and paths in our lives that lead us away from God. In our moments of spiritual strength, we know those are not good for us and lead to death. But, in the moments of weakness, that swamp water looks good. It looks like survival, and we convince ourselves that it's what is best for us.
We're all struggling and fighting to survive in this life. There are times we're lost, spent, losing focus, and there's no rest in sight. In that moment, we are defined. Do we give up and drink the swamp water? Or do we keep fighting, hold on, and trust that the fresh water is just around the corner?
Will you wait for what God has for you, or give up and settle for what you think is best for yourself, that ultimately leads to death?
That moment we reach the water is priceless. Fight to stay conscious, drop the load, and search for the living water with reckless abandon.
"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13)
I don't know about you, but I want that water.
DTI
No comments:
Post a Comment