I have driven the streets of towns in spring and admired their flourishing petunia beds and baskets, brilliantly broadcasting their colors for all to see. I have driven those same streets at the end of summer and wondered how they did it! After my petunias are long gone, those urban petunias were still showing out at the end of summer! As I stood in the dining room of our house and looked out across the yard, I noticed the beautiful basket of petunias that Barb had placed by the bird feeders was looking a little “slaked.” (Pronounced with a long “a,” that is the inaccurate term I use to describe a plant that is needing water). We elected to wait for the promised rain, and we were not disappointed. It received a refreshing and a renewal and is looking great. It is amazing how a plant can wilt until it is completely bowed over, but with a good watering it will perk up and be manifesting its glory again. As I looked out the window observing the needy petunia, I thought about our walk with the Lord. Over the years I have heard a common theme expressed among believers. An encounter with God takes place in a person’s life or in a group. There is repentance and recommitment, and life in the Lord is good—for a while. In time, in the sunny drying weather of life, the spiritual soil loses its moisture. The beautifully blooming flower of the spiritual mountaintop begins to wilt. Life in the Lord starts to be a little “slaked.” Continuing in this way makes the plant more susceptible to insects and disease. There needs to be another watering to bring it back to its robust life. Jesus promised this: He said whoever drinks of the water that He gives, that person will never thirst. He said the water He gives shall be in that person “springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14). He later restated and amplified that teaching saying that the person who believes on Him shall have “rivers of living water” coming up out of his innermost being. Then the scriptures explain very clearly that Jesus was speaking of the Holy Spirit that would be given to those who believe (John 7:38-39). The Word of God is the nutrition of your spiritual life. The Spirit is the water. Just having nutrients is not enough. It takes receiving the water of the Spirit to carry the nutrients throughout the plant. Without the water, the plant goes without nourishment. If you are “dry” in your walk with the Lord, believe the Word and ask for and yield to the Spirit. Receive and be filled with the Spirit to have the rivers within you to be your source of water at all times. This is the promise of the Heavenly Father. Don’t let a religious tradition or doctrine keep you from receiving God’s wonderful divine “rivers” for your thirsty garden. Flourish in Jesus Christ as Lord!
No More Dry Times
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