“Drink and be satisfied.” Those were the words I heard during my prayer time this morning. Often throughout my life I have sought an image from the Lord that I can hold onto. That I can believe in and draw strength from. That is real. More real than my present circumstances and disability from MS.
As I listened to the sound of bubbling water on my iPad during a time of prayer and meditation, I imagined a forest spring of clear water, running over smooth stones. In the vision I saw myself as I might be someday: long, wavy golden brown hair, eyes, a brighter green than ever, and a slim, youthful body attired in a shimmering white dress, covered in tiny scales like diamonds that caught the light and changed color with every move.
I kneeled down and dipped my fingers in the cool, refreshing water. I prayed asking for guidance for this next phase of my life. I listened, and I heard, “Drink and be satisfied.”
I asked myself these questions: “What does satisfaction look like? And what am I supposed to drink?” I believe the answers can be found in these Bible verses: “…but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14 and John 7:38 “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
Living Water
Living water sounds pretty satisfying; doesn’t it? Lately I have not been satisfied but have been recounting all the things that I can no longer do and the furthering disability that I am experiencing and see ahead. It’s like watching a devastating accident that hasn’t happened yet but you know will. I want more than this crummy hand I’ve been dealt. But as a Christian I have to believe that I am not in a game of chance. I have to trust that God can bring purpose through anything. I can be satisfied in Him, even with a life lived with MS.
Yet, I grieve what isn’t any more and what yet will be taken from me, but how can I grieve what has not come to pass? And conversely how can I hope for what I do not see? That is the core of faith—the evidence of what we hope for.
Evidence
But what and where is that evidence? In a court of law evidence is based on fact. In hope we foresee evidence that has not come to pass yet but will. How can we possibly hold on to something so ethereal and misty, morphing into dozens or perhaps countless possibilities. How can we anchor and pin this hope down?
I look back at the evidence of how God has moved in my life. How he has been so very real to me. And how my hopes have materialized in ways I could never have even fathomed. This gives me faith for the future, knowing that He is trustworthy of my hope. He is God and cannot lie or fail us like those around us. No, indeed, He is the only anchor in this storm of life.
Are you in need of an anchor today? Do you need a word from the Lord? All you need to do is seek Him, listen, read His word, and believe that He will give you what you need. Pray for a phrase or an image today that you can hold on to. That you can hope for. That you can believe in and that through Him will satisfy your soul.
I believe He will answer you.
Blessings, J