Cool Rivers Rising

"I am making a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert..."

 

A wilderness, as defined by dictionary.com, is a "wild and uncultivated region, uninhabited or inhabited only by wild animals; a tract of wasteland."  And a desert is "any area in which few forms of life can exist because of lack of water or any place lacking in something."

 

Sometimes we go through seasons where it feels as though certain things in our lives, whether spiritually, relationally, physically, professionally, or financially etc...have been a waste and nothing new is happening.  Or we think our kids have wasted golden opportunities. The wild animals of fear, hopelessness, fatigue... threaten to overtake us. Or we feel that something in general is simply lacking, and we can't seem to find satisfaction or joy in living.  God acknowledges our feelings, and He loves us too much to leave us out there in the wasteland.  This is why He is actively at work to clear the brush and flood our lives with goodness.  "How?" you may be asking.  We already learned that the first step in being able to see the new thing God is doing is to forget the former junk.  We even learned that God opens our eyes to His miracle wonders when we ask Him.  But the number one thing God did to make a way for us and shower our lives with hope, refreshment, and goodness was to send His son Jesus. 

John 10:10 "I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance, to the full, till it overflows."

Sometimes we may be a little shocked that God wants us to enjoy life because we endure trouble after trouble; we find it hard to believe anything will ever get better.  Yet these verses are telling us that it is possible to move on in a big way: Our deserts turn into rivers. That's a 180° turnaround!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Some of us have been lost, hot, thirsty, and tired for a long time. We long for Christ to give us the abundant life we have longed for. We realize it begins with having a vibrant relationship with You. So today, we rededicate our lives to You and look to You as the Source of the healing, peace, hope, and joy we all need. Since You said that an abundant life is possible, we believe You and take You at your word. We can feel those cool rivers rising already. Thank You that in Christ we have everything we need. In His beautiful name we pray, Amen~