Saturday, July 12, 2008

New Growth Shows Up in Drought





Here in the Southeast we are experiencing the worst drought in years. Our beautiful Lake Hartwell is drying up in the creek beds. Today I rode by a section of the lake to see growth of beautiful plants where I am accustomed to seeing water, boats, ducks and fishermen.

Instead of waves of water I saw waves of green. Everyone moans as they drive over the bridge and see what was a lake reduced to a muddy creek bed. I know we need rain, but I saw this landscape with new eyes today.
Seeds have been flowing down the hills for years with every rainfall. Once the lake bottom dried out, the ground could sprout the seeds. The sun encouraged rapid growth and development. Where there was water, now it looks like a rain forest of plants. The drought was the setup to show the seeds that have been hidden under water all these years.

The Bible shows us some great men of faith that endured severe "droughts." Moses comes to mind after he "saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. So he looked this way and that way and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian." Exodus 2:11-12. The Hebrews turned on him for murder and Pharoah was chasing him down. He ran to the desert. He ended up on the backside of nowhere shepherding sheep, until God manifest Himself to him in a burning bush. His drought was a quiet, dry time that suddently changed with the presence of God. Then Moses was revealed to be the man who would bring God's chosen people out of captivity.

Joseph had a drought of being in an alien land away from nourishment of family or other Israelites. He ended up removed from everyone but fellow prisoners and guards. But this drought seemed to be the pressure that pressed his seeds of greatness to come forth to save His people and His family.

The last few years have felt like a "drought" to me. Lord, what has washed down in me through the years? What is Your desire to grow in me with the pressure and atmosphere change of this drought?

Felt dry lately?
Felt removed from nourishment?
Maybe it's a drought that will press you to grow in ways you could never have known except in a drought.









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© 2008 Kay Martin

Thrive In Christ

Who I Am In Christ by Neil Anderson

For several months we will center on this book to pursue Thriving in our Christian journey.

Neil challenges us with: "Do you know who you are in God's eyes? We are no longer products of our past. We are primarily products of Christ's work on the cross. Who we are determines what we do.

You are not who you are in Christ because of the things you have done, you are in Christ because of what He has done. He died and rose again so that you and I could live in the FREEDOM of His love."

That's just the introduction. More to follow.