I was away in Beijing this past week. I heard it rained in
Singapore - finally, after more than two months; our longest dry spell in fifty
years.
The grass had begun to turn brown, trees were going bare. Life was
threatened, a frightful prospect of our proud garden city being licked by the
dust as the sky remain cloudless.... until - the rain came - and the life that
still pulses beneath the ground bursts forth and things began to green
again.
Like the grass and leaves all about us.. life can cause us to turn
dry and dull, and even risk going lifeless -
Until
-we come to the never dried-up Well and let the Water reach deep
inside of us and help us unfold, loosen, and come to life again. The Water that
refreshes deep so that parts of us that may have given up or been handed over
to ‘that’s the way it will be’ are quickened and we stretch toward the sun
again.
Has the Water started
trickling,
flowing,
pouring down
swirling all about
you
on this journey....
Word & Truth
Perhaps you felt the Water’s gentle healing presence began to
refresh you right when we started out on this journey; when the Word was –
“... for it is God who works to will and to
do… “ ~ Phil 2v13
Or perhaps you felt the Water when you stopped in your tracks, looked to Jesus and began to simply say, “I am thirsty, Lord..”
"If you knew ... who it is who says to you,
'Give me a drink', you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living
water...."
~ Jesus at a well, John 4
[NASB]
As I lap up the Water, my hungers and fears become stilled and it seems my life is saved again.
Or did you experience the Water through this amazing promise –
Are
you tired? Worn out?
Come
to me,
all
you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads,
and
I will give you rest
for
I am gentle and humble in heart,
and
you will find rest for your souls ~ Jesus looking at the people, Matthew 11v28-29
It’s beyond our figuring out; but O how we want it to be so: rest - for - our - souls.
Did you have a deeply personal moment when your life story began
to fill with colour as Jesus held you and said, “I know your life.”
"Come see a man who told me all the things that I have done,
this is not the Christ is it?"
~ woman’s response after chat with Jesus, John 4v29
My truth
As I walk this journey just a step or two ahead, I sense Jesus’
heart for us.
He is the Water the refreshes our lives.
He offers the Rest that can dramatically redefine our lives:
imagine finding a load and a yoke that is fitted for you. It is a load and a
yoke – you and I will still find it tough and be constrained; but o how it
fits!
Today I stop at this point and linger over this astounding thought.
What yoke and burden do you need to cast off?
What have you avoided out of fear?
What if Jesus were to say,
“everything
in your life, I know, and it’s going to be alright. I will refresh you and
reinvigorate your life. I will be the Source in you that springs forth…”
more truth with community
Will you share your story with us here? Our stories, just like the
stories in the Bible are testaments that point to God’s truth, beauty,
greatness and eternal purpose.
One of the best moments I had in Beijing was being at a women’s
conference. Our theme was ‘God’s story, Our story, my story’. ‘
Our individual stories are unique, yet often we can empathize and
help carry each other’s burdens because there are common elements. All our
stories weave and map together, and make sense when it is seen against the
larger backdrop of God’s story of love for humankind.
We need to know that our lives are not random, senseless and
pointless. It is not. In fact, your life, your story matter to God enough for
him to step in!
So let’s share our stories and help each other remember we are
part of something larger . and . eternal.
Amen.
Amen.
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