“He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers” (Psalm 1:3 NIV).
What a week! We got back home from our vacation to discover that our heat pump isn’t working. After a visit from a repairman, it looks like we’re going to have to replace it. It’s old and no longer worth repairing.
It couldn’t have happened at a worse time either. This week we have experienced a record-breaking heat wave. Temperatures have soared past the 100 degree mark nearly every day!
We’ve heard health warnings from our weather-newscasters all week.
“Check on your pets. Check on the elderly. Stay hydrated. Water is best. Stay out of the heat where possible, but if you have to work outside, make sure to take regular rest breaks to cool off.”
Good advice. We’ve kept our pets in the house most of the week. Without our heat pump working, it isn’t much cooler than outside. But at least it’s in the shade.
Our yard, rose bushes, and shrubs aren’t faring so well. Everything is burning up and turning brown. The problem with heat waves is that they are usually accompanied by dry spells. No rain.
Most of our neighbors are in the same boat with their yards. However, a couple of them have installed underground sprinklers. Their yards are as green as ever. Their rose bushes are in full bloom. Having access to a continuous water supply sure makes a difference.
It’s the same in our spiritual lives. We will often encounter “heat waves” and “dry spells.” Times when we feel under attack and when we feel dry spiritually. What we need at times like these is not to just keep on burning out and drying up, but to stay connected to the “streams of water” that flow from Christ.
When we pull away regularly to abide in Christ by praying and meditating on His Word, we are blessed. We become “like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever [we do] prospers.” No matter how hot and dry it gets, we can draw on the refreshing living water that flows from Christ to us.
When we are continually connected to Christ, we can not only survive a heat wave. We can thrive and bear fruit!