Have you ever been really thirsty?
I mean tongue hanging out-
Parched to the bone...... Dry.
I try not to let myself get thirsty-
The cardinal rule in endurance exercise is-
Eat before you get hungry and Drink before you get thirsty.
I'm not always real good with rules.
Not too long ago I went on a bike ride but forgot to bring my water bottle-
After a ways into the ride I realized my plight-
I reached down to take hold of my water bottle and..............
Oops Nothing there.
No problem I thought-
This will be short ride-
I'll be fine.
Fast forward 30 minutes-
Arriving back at the house-
I was dying..............
Spent-
Dead on my feet.
Straight to the refrigerator I stumbled-
There..........
there it was as I opened the door-
A tall cool bottle of Propel.
That bottle..............at that moment-
Lable glistening and cool to the touch-
Represented for me then and there-
Satisfaction............
and relief...............
and .......................... Life!
It was sooooooo good!
It's funny though-
As happy as I was to see the bottle-
It's what was in the bottle that really mattered.
I can't help but wonder now-
Wonder what I must look like-
To the tired and thirsty people God brings my way-
Every single day.
People who are hurting and isolated-
People who are in need of a drink-
People who are weary and heavy laden.
Does my life offer even the prospect of relief?
More importantly-
What am I filled with?
What am I carrying around in this vessel-
This vessel of my body and soul-
Is there anything in me that might bring Satisfaction...............
and relief..................
and ................Life.
Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you,
and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions,
for the sake of His body, which is the church.
Truth-
Because Christ is in us-
Because we can live filled with His Spirit-
Not only can our packaging offer the prospect of Life-
But He can be poured out through us to bring Life-
As we share in His suffering-
For the people He brings our way.
Father, move in me today to be a vessel
for Your Life to be poured out for the sake
of all the people You bring my way.
I pray that my life
become an expression of Your Love and Suffering.
Forgive me in every place I choose my own comfort
over Your Love and suffering for
Your people.
Amen
