One year I bought a new plant called ornamental mustard. Beautiful leaves, pretty colors–different from anything I owned. I wasn’t sure where to plant it, but I knew we’d find a place for it.
New plants always perk up the garden, especially in Fall, when some things are fading. I found a temporary spot on the back porch until I decided on its permanent home. But I forgot something vital about that plant.
Crucial Gardening Principle
It’s a fairly general principle about gardening–one that’s crucial to a gardener’s success. Plants get thirsty. They need water. Duh!
Three days later I looked out the window at my mustard plant sunning on the back porch. The above picture was what I saw. I had forgotten to water it. The sun, wind, and rising temperatures had sucked the life right out of my mustard plant.
Plants can die without water. And just one drink won’t suffice. I could water it today. But the next day, if left in the hot sun–especially if it’s not rooted yet–that plant will need another long, cool splash of water.
Amazing how we as believers think we can survive without a daily spiritual drink from God and His Word. I prayed once last week. I did read a chapter in the Bible last year. Been a little busy lately.
We Need Spiritual Refreshment Daily
The conditions and events in our world and in our lives can drain us. Disappointments arrive at our door; harsh winds blow; relationships dry up–and suddenly we realize we’re dehydrated. Last month, last year’s drink didn’t last. We need spiritual refreshment daily. I’m not talking about the Living Water God gives us that makes us never thirst again–our salvation. As believers, we’ve experienced that.
Spiritual Dehydration Requires Spiritual Refreshment
This is not about guilt or duty. This is about everyday life. God waits daily for you, eager to refresh your spirit, body, and soul. Whether you spend five minutes or five hours in His presence is not the issue. Depending on the season of your life, that time may vary.
But I can tell you this. If you’ve ever experienced an extreme thirst to the point of spiritual dehydration, you will run daily, not walk, to Jesus. And you’ll hold cupped, outstretched, hands (or a bucket) for Him to fill to overflowing.
And the next day, you will drink again, because you know your survival depends on it. No, I don’t mean if you skip your daily “quiet time,” you won’t make it through the day. God is more interested in relationships than in keeping rituals. Your eternal destiny is not the issue. But we do need daily spiritual refreshment.
Jesus, the Thirst Quencher, Brings Spiritual Refreshment
Just like an old gospel song says, “the longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows,” make it your passion and motto: “The more I spend time with Him, the more I want to.” Because the more you come to Him, the more He wants to quench your thirst. And the more you drink, the more “vitality” you will experience. Our spirits need daily, spiritual refreshment to thrive.
Don’t wait until life has drained you, and you are spiritually dehydrated. God’s Word is both your fertilizer and your sprinkling system. And His Spirit is eager to refresh you daily with life-giving water as you communicate heart to heart. Come to Him daily.
Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and homeless; Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died. “LORD, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress. He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live. Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for all his wonderful deeds to them. For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things (Psalm 107:4-9), NLT.
My Personal Prayer for You
Lord, where can we go but to you? We need Your spiritual refreshment; our bodies need healing; our souls need relationship. We are so thirsty for You! Come fill us with Your daily, life-giving water. We’ve tried foolishly to make it on our own, but we feel weathered and spent. Help us to fall in love with You all over again so that we cannot bear to spend one day apart from Your presence. You are the only drink that refreshes.
Day-votedly Yours,
Rebecca
*This post first appeared in 2011.
It’s Your Turn
What about you? Have you ever been spiritually dehydrated and in need of spiritual refreshment? How did God quench your thirst? I love to hear from readers. You can always write me through my contact page. Just fill out the basic name and address info, and then the email will come to me. Your name or info will never be shared with anyone without your permission.
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