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 Living Waters

   Here in the mountains of Idaho, we had many years of drought. The trees of the forest showed their long thirst by growing slowly. Each spring the firs and pines only put out only a short bunch of new needles. I would touch their softness as I passed, on my half-mile walk to our mailbox. But this past spring was wetter than anyone could remember for the last twenty-five years. Our farm was transformed into a wonderland of green. We had never seen it so green. All kinds of grasses and wild flowers grew everywhere.

   Today, walking out to the mailbox, my hands were reaching out to feel the six to eight inches of new needles, soft and pale green, that reached out on both sides of our lane. The trees have been very busy growing in all this rain.

   I know that years from now, when these trees are cut, their rings will reflect this year of great growth. This year's ring will be wide, indicating a healthy growing time.

   There are times in our lives when our spirits feel dried up; discouragement and loneliness are the only things that grow.

   Is the refreshing spiritual rain of God's nearness staying away? How can we bring ourselves back to His side, and feel His wonderful nourishing love, like water to a scorched mountain?

   There are times when I don't feel close to God. I know HE is just as close to me, but my own spirit falls into dismal darkness, and dwells on sorrowful things. If I catch myself, I realize what is happening before I become too sad. Like a small child falling into a puddle, I put my arms out to my Heavenly Father, telling Him that I have fallen, and feel too far from Him. I ask Him to help me up, and give me back my feeling of closeness to His presence.

   If I don't catch myself as I slide, I just wallow deeper and deeper. In my life, as in many, there are plenty of bad memories. One tends to lead to another, and they pull me down, as into quicksand. And all because of carelessly glancing away from Jesus.

   The joy of our heart is ceased ; our dance is turned into mourning. Lam 5:15

   When I lift my eyes toward my Heavenly Father again, He gives me the blessed awareness of His presence. It revitalizes my mind and spirit, and I am no longer cast down into the pit of despondancy. He gives me comfort and peace again.

   ... The redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing ... and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. Isa 51:11

   Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places ... for the LORD hath comforted his people.... Isa 52:9a,c

   I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow. Jer 31:13b

   I am so grateful to Him for staying near me all of my life. For pulling me up each time I call to Him, telling Him I have fallen.

   I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Hab 3:18

   Why does He allow me to fall into that pit? I've wondered long about this. Some people never suffer from depression. I wish I didn't. Yet I believe that all trials are for my own good. Perhaps I would grow complacent, if I always felt God's presence. Perhaps I would come to take it for granted. I'll never know. But what I do know is that the absence of His presence is painful, and that is what makes me turn my face to Him, seeking His face again.

   That spiritual thirst is healthy. Just as we must grow thirsty, to remember to drink the liquid our bodies need, so must we feel spiritual thirst, perhaps, in order to remember to seek our Saviour's face, and receive the closeness our spirits need.

   When our spirits are renewed, new gifts grow like a field of flowers. The gift of being able to encourage others, help others, give comfort to others. These are truly God-given. City streets are filled with unhappy, bitter faces. Just look around you. They're everywhere. God is the author of joy. God is the author of sweetness and giving. Just ask Him, and He will bless you with gifts, to help others.

   There is such joy in giving.

   It is the enemy who wants us to trip into the pit of despair. But God is able to keep us from falling. I am learning to begin each day by asking Him to keep me from that heavy burden of depression. Perhaps He wants me to remember each day, that joy is a gift given only by Him.

    * Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling ... To the only wise God our Saviour ... Jud 1:24a,c

   God also receives joy from our recognizing how much we need Him. He receives joy from lifting us out of our pit of sin or despair. Imagine that! But then, just think with what joy we would lift our precious child from a pit of quicksand, and save them, and make them happy again! Even more loving is our Heavenly Father, who will never leave us nor forsake us.

    * The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. Zep 3:17

   His rescuing arms will draw us closer to Him again, and feed our spirit with His living water. All He wants is for us to ask Him.



2005 Rosemary Gwaltney