When Jesus is the center of our lives, He fills us to overflowing with streams of joy, peace, and wholeness—and with the desire to allow that overflow to reach into the lives of others. Without Him, however, we become like a desert, thirsty and seeking.
Eternal Perspectives by Sally Bair
The Floods of Spring
On my way home from North Dakota one year I encountered many flooded fields because of heavy snowfalls and recent rains. Many people everywhere have, at one time or another, experienced flooded basements, houses, properties, or roads. Rain and snow either come too much at a time or too little. Last winter we northerners experienced record snowfalls, while this year, very little.
When it does rain, we may grow tired of dodging the drops, but we can be thankful for every drop we receive. Whether it arrives in trickles or torrents, rain is necessary and cause for celebration.
Rain is often used as a metaphor. We don’t want anyone to rain on our parade. Our impatience for something causes us to do a rain dance. Conversely, when we decide to postpone something, we’ll take a rain check. And we try to save money for a rainy day.
The Bible speaks of rain both literally and metaphorically. Abraham and Lot saw fire and brimstone rain down on the city of Sodom. When the Israelites complained about lack of food, God said He would rain bread from heaven for them. Hosea called people to repent so God’s blessings would be restored. “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you.” (Hosea 10:12)
A sinful woman at a drinking well met Jesus, who promised her living water that would spring from an unfailing source and flow forever. ”Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give 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 4:13-14)
Through Christ’s death and resurrection, which we recently celebrated, we are free to believe in His merciful gift of eternal life. We can drink from His Word, His presence, and His Spirit for a life of peace, joy, and wholeness, and the promise of eternal life with Him.
Lord, thank You for Your mercy that rains down on us like a flood and reigns in our hearts. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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