"Wilderness"

There’s a blowing ‘cross the desert,

That calls us through the waste,

It’s subtle, not the least overt,

But still it gives a taste,

Of being so well-watered,

Like an oasis that they find,

The threat of being slaughtered,

Finally conquered over time.

From dry and dying thirsty,

To an overflowing spring,

Led by the winds of mercy,

Oh what relief they bring.

And if people knew the pleasure,

Of finding such a place,

They’d stop and seek the treasure,

Leave all to find His grace.

Stuck in some dry old desert,

It’s wilderness of course,

Carrying a load of hurt,

And sad neglecting of the source,

Of everything that sets us free,

And quenches all desire,

The One who loves supremely,

And never will retire.

So come on through the wilderness,

Don’t stop till you are out,

Experience God’s tenderness,

‘Cause that’s what life’s about.

“…Jesus stood and cried out, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. he who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, from his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:37-38, NAS0

Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit, according to John. He was offering something that would quench a person’s spiritual thirst and then flow out of them to help others, too. Water, wind and fire were the three ways Jesus describe the Spirit. In this case calling the Spirit “rivers of living water.” What a beautiful way to describe t life of God flowing through us. Life’s desert experiences are allowed or sent to show us how much we need the living water. It is just as true now as it was when Jesus said it.

Lord, quench our thirst with Your presence, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Clark Kelley Price, used by permission. Thanks, Clark, and God bless you.