No human creature entered a desert oasis without joy, nor left it without regret.”
–Zane Grey (Wanderer of the Wasteland)
“Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again. But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him 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 (NKJV)
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How many bones lie just a hillside away from the oasis, the spring of life? How many, with just a little more effort, would have made it over the rise to see the refreshing water below? How many, if they would have just endured a little longer and not given in to the struggle of life, would have made it to the reviving waters? How many, how many, if they would not have parted from the way; would not have become disoriented; would have made it from one water tank to another? Oh, the stories that could be told from the bones lying bleached in the wilderness. Stories that will never be told unless a person happens to come across their dry bones and attempt to surmise what might have happened.
Water, that vital elixir of life, is often found missing when trekking through the wilderness. You may notice a dryness in your spirit as you drag your feet through the rocks, gravel, and sand, avoiding the spines of the cacti and cholla. The canteen is dry, but you still continue to carry it in hope, in faith; you didn’t throw it away when you took that last drop. The struggle is real, the heat, the dryness, and then, over the rise–look. No, it can’t be, it must be a mirage, one of those devices of the devil. Look again, and the heat waves seem to still for a moment. There is green from the vegetation causing hope to rise in your heart and you move a little faster. Those feet that were dragging in despair are not lifting off the ground. Because of your weariness you stumble, but only for a moment; for coming into view, is the refreshing water. The soul is craving water; the body is trembling at the thought to soothe the parched lips. Soon, the cool, refreshing water will trickle down your throat. There is plenty. Throw yourself in, restore yourself in its freshness.
Once you have satisfied your thirst, reflect as you sit there, on the edge of the pool, now splashing those tired, hot feet in the coolness of the oasis. Ahhh, sweet relief, wonderful relief. Water, to reinvigorate the body and soul. But remember it is only a stopping point in your journey. The purpose is to have water, relief from the blast and dryness of the wilderness, to continue the quest onward. No matter how you came to the wilderness, whether it was by trying to escape a situation of life or being driven by the wind of God; you now seek to survive and you need water.
Water is essential. It may be the natural water of a desert oasis, or one of those tanks hidden in the cleft of the rocks along the rugged plateau. It may be the spiritual water given by the One who said, “I AM, the living water.” It was needed to keep you alive, just as the spiritual water is needed to help you make it to the land of promise, the land of relief. The water was provided, you have refreshed yourself for the continuation of the journey.
You have tasted the water provided by the Lord. Perhaps now is the time to take a good look at what you have been drinking trying to quench the spiritual thirst. Know this, only the heavenly water that flows from Jesus will quench that thirst. Just as when you have been extremely thirsty you sought the natural water to quench that thirst and to revive your body, you need to taste from the overflowing fountain that Christ provides.
(Much of the above was taken from my book, Trails in the Wilderness)