Drought Infested Souls.
The other day I was talking with a friend and God dropped one of His analogies in my heart...ever have that happen? I just love it! They come so quick and "out of the blue" and make so much sense and have so much meaning, that I KNOW He dropped it there.
My heart has truly been broken for people struggling because of this drought. We don't see immediate effects yet, but many farmers are having great difficulties. I studied some plants outside, and just thought about what they were like before. The plants that did not receive enough water literally burnt-and produced no fruit, or partial/diseased fruit. Hmmm.
You see, it's interesting because I think about the parable of the sower and how some of the seed fell in places where, initially it grew (among the rocks and shallow soil) but it didn't last. Then I thought about how these plants that ended up burnt and producing no fruit had all the other ingredients: They were in deep enough soil, placed far enough apart, given sunlight and warmth, given nutrients from the soil...but they are missing something critical, something that makes the difference between life and death. They are missing water.
I haven't studied water in a Biblical sense but would very much like to after this. I know it represents life. (If you are reading this and have more thoughts, I'd very much like to hear them!) But in that moment when God dropped this in my heart, He also whispered "Heidi, do you water the people around you? How do you water them? When do you water them?" It was a good, soul-searching question, one I think I need to ask often and be honest in answering.
All of that to say, it put this new level of desire in me. I wondered how many "plants" have dried up, burned and died, producing no fruit, simply because no one watered them. What am I talking about "watering"? Well, it could be so many things...it's God who sets up the divine appointments and opens the doors, but we have a responsibility to not only be ready to respond in a moments notice, but to have a watchful heart. Maybe it's a hug; praying with someone, or doing something anonymously to love. Maybe it is sharing the Word or digging deep into it with someone who's heard the Good News. Maybe it's sharing the Good News with someone, or letting God shine through word and deed. I could go on forever, but you get the picture. Maybe it sounds crazy to you that I'm constantly thinking about these things, but at the end of the day, it is truly the only thing that matters.
I want to water people-I want to water seeds that are planted (and of course also get to help plant sometimes too! :)) I want God to pour through my life and into others, to water very "thirsty" souls. So look around you...who needs watering? Maybe you are pretty dried up...Go to the well, fill up, and find some people to water. Because the water God gives NEVER dries up.
My heart has truly been broken for people struggling because of this drought. We don't see immediate effects yet, but many farmers are having great difficulties. I studied some plants outside, and just thought about what they were like before. The plants that did not receive enough water literally burnt-and produced no fruit, or partial/diseased fruit. Hmmm.
You see, it's interesting because I think about the parable of the sower and how some of the seed fell in places where, initially it grew (among the rocks and shallow soil) but it didn't last. Then I thought about how these plants that ended up burnt and producing no fruit had all the other ingredients: They were in deep enough soil, placed far enough apart, given sunlight and warmth, given nutrients from the soil...but they are missing something critical, something that makes the difference between life and death. They are missing water.
I haven't studied water in a Biblical sense but would very much like to after this. I know it represents life. (If you are reading this and have more thoughts, I'd very much like to hear them!) But in that moment when God dropped this in my heart, He also whispered "Heidi, do you water the people around you? How do you water them? When do you water them?" It was a good, soul-searching question, one I think I need to ask often and be honest in answering.
All of that to say, it put this new level of desire in me. I wondered how many "plants" have dried up, burned and died, producing no fruit, simply because no one watered them. What am I talking about "watering"? Well, it could be so many things...it's God who sets up the divine appointments and opens the doors, but we have a responsibility to not only be ready to respond in a moments notice, but to have a watchful heart. Maybe it's a hug; praying with someone, or doing something anonymously to love. Maybe it is sharing the Word or digging deep into it with someone who's heard the Good News. Maybe it's sharing the Good News with someone, or letting God shine through word and deed. I could go on forever, but you get the picture. Maybe it sounds crazy to you that I'm constantly thinking about these things, but at the end of the day, it is truly the only thing that matters.
I want to water people-I want to water seeds that are planted (and of course also get to help plant sometimes too! :)) I want God to pour through my life and into others, to water very "thirsty" souls. So look around you...who needs watering? Maybe you are pretty dried up...Go to the well, fill up, and find some people to water. Because the water God gives NEVER dries up.
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