You feel it pressing in upon you; this heavy, yet oddly hollow feeling, as if drawing water from an empty well. In the disaster you feel your life is; in the schedules; in the pain, the heartache; the court appointments, pregnancies, reunification, doctor visits, funerals… Oppression while you trudge through the desert you’re currently in. Stumbling in these conditions will test our faith in ways we never would expect. It will leave us vulnerable, exhausted, ready to give up. This is exactly what the enemy wants.
Water is essential to life. You can’t survive in the desert without it. In the middle of a dry and parched land, water is the most valuable resource. In the same way, our lives can be a spiritually barren land at times, cracked and gouged soil exposing our sin-filled existence. The Bible uses water multiple times to teach us how God uses Himself and His Spirit to show us the need for His life-giving “water” of salvation, a grace-filled drink for all who thirst. (Matthew 5:6, John 4:10-14, Isaiah 55:1-2, John 7:38-39, Revelation 22:1-2)
“The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” – Isaiah 58:11
Notice the words “a spring whose waters never fail.” God is constant, never-failing, all-sufficient, our provider. Dry seasons will force us to look towards the source of the Living Water, and remind us that we can’t do it all on our own. And what comes after the dry season? The rain! Christ is calling us to be patient, give it all to Him, and stand back and watch how He allows good things in our lives to grow, pruning back what isn’t good.
“The desert will rejoice, and flowers will bloom in the wastelands. The desert will sing and shout for joy; it will be as beautiful as the Lebanon Mountains and as fertile as the fields of Carmel and Sharon. Everyone will see the Lord’s splendor, see His greatness and power. Give strength to hands that are tired and to knees that tremble with weakness. Tell everyone who is discouraged, ‘Be strong and don't be afraid! God is coming to your rescue, coming to punish your enemies.’ The blind will be able to see, and the deaf will hear. The lame will leap and dance, and those who cannot speak will shout for joy. Streams of water will flow through the desert; the burning sand will become a lake, and dry land will be filled with springs… There will be a highway there, called ‘The Road of Holiness.’ No sinner will ever travel that road; no fools will mislead those who follow it. No lions will be there; no fierce animals will pass that way. Those whom the Lord has rescued will travel home by that road. They will reach Jerusalem with gladness, singing and shouting for joy. They will be happy forever, forever free from sorrow and grief.” – Isaiah 35
Don’t wander the desert, parched and thirsty. Drink from His well; the water is good, it’s essential; it’s life! Let it wash over you and cause you to flourish. See where your feet are planted, and know you are home. Learn to be content with where you are, rain or not, for you will not always live in the desert. You have been given community with other women who “get it.” Thrive in that community. Allow the living water of Christ to nourish your spirit, and flourish in your life. You’re just beginning to bloom.
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