H2O

by Melissa Spoelstra

The rain is beating down on my roof.  Water pouring down from heaven on a dry and thirsty ground.  Spending some much needed time in God’s presence today felt like rain on my thirsty soul.  Life can be so hard.  Not just for us, but when we live in community with other believers, we carry each other’s burdens. Recently, I’ve seen a dear gal lose her dad to cancer.  Marriages are struggling.  Parenting children takes its toll.  Friends fight and need to be reconciled.  The weight of waging the daily battle with sin in our own hearts coupled with the tough circumstances outside of our control can leave us parched with despair.

We are like the crunchy grass and brown withering plants desperate for some relief.  As I began to study the book of 1 Corinthians, I asked God to help me learn in ways that would stick with me and women I was studying alongside.   As I prepared to teach from 1 Corinthians 2, I wrestled with God while doing aerobics at a 5:45am class.  “Help me put this together.  I’ve studied but I need your wisdom to help us understand what you are saying here Lord.”

He knew we were facing a season of drought not only in our yards, but in our souls.  As I mentally reviewed the passage trying to boil it down to one main idea – God clearly spoke to my spirit.

H2O

H #1 – Heaven “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

We weren’t designed for this world.  We are aliens and strangers here.  The pain and trials of life remind us that our true home is yet to come.  My husband and daughter just returned from a week in Guatemala.  They commented last night how good it felt to be home.  Familiar language, soft bed, surrounded by people who love them.   Heaven will be a coming home from the fatigue of fighting the sin that so easily entangles us.  We will walk in close relationship with our Maker without the mar of sin.  I long for that day.  Drink in the thought.

However, what will we do until that day comes?  Should we hole up in a commune and wait for heaven?  Not according to God’s Word.

H #2 – The Holy Spirit “But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.  No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.  And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.” 1 Corinthians 2:10-11

We aren’t here to fill space and die.  He has given us His Spirit to guide us, to comfort us, to show us God’s secrets.  Through the power of His Spirit, He enables us to do good works with spiritual gifts.  He fills us with His Spirit so that we display His fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control).  He equips us to carry out His purpose for our life here on earth through His Spirit living in us.

In the midst of the yuck of this life, we can hold on to the things God has given us that will never change.  Jobs change.  People change.  Circumstances change.  Health changes.  Feelings change.  Heaven and the Holy Spirit can never be taken away from us.

This leads us to the BIG O.   Optimism.

In the midst of the tough, heart breaking pains that we experience personally and also walk together with friends and family, we can find an optimistic outlook.  We grieve, but not as those who have no hope.  For we have heaven to look forward to and the Holy Spirit to help us through until we get there.

So let it rain – H2O on this thirsty soul.  Hope in the midst of grief.  Beauty from ashes.  This is our God.  He truly is the Fountain of Living Water. (Jeremiah 2:13)  His water never runs dry. The rain on my roof reminds me of His Living water.  When discouragement comes my way, I will drink deeply from His H20.  I hope you will too!

Prayer:  Rain down your living water on us today God. Help us to focus on heaven and the Holy Spirit so that we can approach this day optimistic in You.  

Melissa is first and foremost a Christ-follower.  She is madly in love with Jesus and addicted to the study of His Word.  You can connect with Melissa at www.melissaspoelstra.com.