We all agree that this week has been dreadfully hot-- countless tweets and status updates of faithful Facebook users can attest to that. Many have tried to escape the summer's terrible grasp, only to be suffocated by its unrelenting hand--I being no exception.
Though summer has held no punches, I've managed to withstand its blows, as it were. Peering at the sun-kissed image in the mirror (perhaps peeling image would be more accurate) I can not help but think "I made it", for the fate of mere skin seemed to be unsure after such a scorching week.
Thursday was particularly unbearable, for that morning I woke up to a blank alarm clock. Awaking out of a smothering sleep and staring at the menacing black screen that should have been illuminated with the appropriate numbers, it occurred to me that our electricity was off. Mind you, I soon found out that it was no later than 10 am and room temperature had reached 90 degrees.
Mildly confused and extremely hot, I got out of bed. I guess I didn't realize the implications of the barren clock when I pressed my glass against the trigger on the refrigerator door that would have so graciously dispensed water to me on any given day-- of course, that day being an exception. Needless to say, the tap had dried up and the quenching of my thirst had been delayed.
Though summer has held no punches, I've managed to withstand its blows, as it were. Peering at the sun-kissed image in the mirror (perhaps peeling image would be more accurate) I can not help but think "I made it", for the fate of mere skin seemed to be unsure after such a scorching week.
Thursday was particularly unbearable, for that morning I woke up to a blank alarm clock. Awaking out of a smothering sleep and staring at the menacing black screen that should have been illuminated with the appropriate numbers, it occurred to me that our electricity was off. Mind you, I soon found out that it was no later than 10 am and room temperature had reached 90 degrees.
Mildly confused and extremely hot, I got out of bed. I guess I didn't realize the implications of the barren clock when I pressed my glass against the trigger on the refrigerator door that would have so graciously dispensed water to me on any given day-- of course, that day being an exception. Needless to say, the tap had dried up and the quenching of my thirst had been delayed.
Never before had I been so thirsty. With no AC, the heat seemed to sit on me like a childhood bully that would not relent-- it was annoying and unbearable. However, I was determined to quench my thirst. When hot soda would not do, I upgraded to lukewarm tap water. Needless to say, I was not refreshed.
It was not until a couple of hours later that our electricity was finally restored-- I knew it had been, by way of the flashing 12:00 that was restored on the once barren clock. With excitement, I immediately ran to the kitchen and filled my cup with fresh water. Ahhh, the taste was indescribable! Something about that water seemed to restore my soul.
However, as refreshing as that water was, it did not restore my soul. Furthermore, that water wasn't as accessible as I thought it had been, for without warning, it had been cut off.
And just as Jesus said to the woman at the well, It occured to me that "Whosoever drinketh of this water"-- whether it be from the refrigerator or a well, "shall thirst again" (John 4:13). Though water is in fact, a necessity, one must continually rehydrate. Being totally aware of this unfortunate truth, Jesus continued.
"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:14)
This water, of course, being the Holy Spirit. One must understand that the Holy Spirit is the ultimate sustain-er of life--it is the living water that everyone needs. There is nothing more refreshing, nothing more hydrating and than the Holy Spirit, despite what you may have heard on a Gatorade commercial.
In closing, "Taste and see that the Lord is good" -- you won't be left unsatisfied.
--Tre Michael
It was not until a couple of hours later that our electricity was finally restored-- I knew it had been, by way of the flashing 12:00 that was restored on the once barren clock. With excitement, I immediately ran to the kitchen and filled my cup with fresh water. Ahhh, the taste was indescribable! Something about that water seemed to restore my soul.
However, as refreshing as that water was, it did not restore my soul. Furthermore, that water wasn't as accessible as I thought it had been, for without warning, it had been cut off.
And just as Jesus said to the woman at the well, It occured to me that "Whosoever drinketh of this water"-- whether it be from the refrigerator or a well, "shall thirst again" (John 4:13). Though water is in fact, a necessity, one must continually rehydrate. Being totally aware of this unfortunate truth, Jesus continued.
"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:14)
This water, of course, being the Holy Spirit. One must understand that the Holy Spirit is the ultimate sustain-er of life--it is the living water that everyone needs. There is nothing more refreshing, nothing more hydrating and than the Holy Spirit, despite what you may have heard on a Gatorade commercial.
In closing, "Taste and see that the Lord is good" -- you won't be left unsatisfied.
--Tre Michael