Oasis in the desert of Life

In December we were in Southern California for a couple if weeks. We were in a desert area where rain is scarce and the land does everything it can to conserve what little there is in many different ways. Rain falls onto the plants and cacti can hold rainwater in their stems and leaves. Hollows in stones can trap rain water and these small secret watering holes can last for hours, but the most magnificent way the desert stores water is through the oasis.These underground aquifers have the amazing means to store water to such an extent that large ponds develop, and around those ponds the beautiful desert oasis palm trees grow and thrive, many growing huge trunks and sheltering birds and wildlife within its fronds.

The desert is flat, dry and looks pretty barren with just a few dry stunted bushes, and uniformly sandy, both in color and on the ground. Then across the sandy expanse of emptiness there rises in the distance a tall stand of trees....and they are green!!!! You start to walk towards them and as you get closer, you start to hear bird song, and the rustle of healthy green palm fronds. Then you hear the water, sometimes gently flowing in a small stream, sometimes quiet and still in a deep pond. To sit and soak in the sound of the water, the green palm trees, the bird song in this dry and thirsty land is precious indeed.

Life is found in these oasis, flowing with water that comes from deep within its secret places. I believe The Lord has made us so that we can only have that abundant life when the living water that comes only from Him is stored deep within our secret places and is allowed to flow from us making us full of life and health and giving others that nurturing place where they too can be refreshed and healed.

I am reminded of John 7:38 that from within will flow rivers of living water....not from without!!! The water that gives life, like the underground aquifers in the desert, comes from deep within...nothing that is truly life giving can come from without. I need to remember that in the times
when I am dry and thirsty. To go first to the source so that He can fill up my underground river, as
only then will I have abundant life myself and an overflow to pour out to all who need a fresh touch from Him today.