I don’t claim to be a master gardener or possess any sort of green thumb, yet somehow over the last several years, plants that have been gifted to ARC on various occasions have found themselves under my feeble watch. I enjoy the looks of the greenery and the variety that it adds to our décor, but I feel very inadequate to care for them. There is a reason that you won’t find a living plant in my house! Oh there have been plants; they are just no longer living. I can never remember if leaves falling off the plant mean that it has been watered too much and yellowing leaves mean it was watered too little, or vice versa or something all together different. I never know if the poor plant is drowning or starving! Thankfully George, our resident plant professional, was willing to coach me and give me some advice. Rule #1 was for me to pick one day of the week to water the plants and then do it. He said that way I wouldn’t forget.
So I decided to get the job done right away and water the plants every Monday. This plan worked well for awhile, until… I got busy and forgot. Monday faded into Tuesday, Tuesday rolled over to Wednesday, Wednesday slid into Thursday, and by Friday morning I was greeted with green leaves that were no longer standing at attention, but were bowed low to the ground. Oops! I wondered what George would say… I was sure that I had killed the plant, but I decided to give it a long overdue drink anyway and see what happened. To my amazement, within hours the plant was completely renewed. The leaves were glossy and smooth and once again stood upright.
I pondered how this plant reflected my life. Many times I have made a plan to regularly spend time with God in prayer and in His word. I wake up early to pray, start a new devotional book, or commit to a small group Bible study, and I feel alive and refreshed. My steps seem lighter and my nerves less frazzled. I echo the words of the Psalmist when he writes “He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul”. (Psalm 23:2-3)
But then sometimes the things of life get in the way. A rushed morning leads into a busy day which multiplies into a busy week and soon the plan is pushed aside or forgotten. The calendar and to-do list have become more important than an open Bible and a bowed head, and I feel dry and deserted and my spirit droops. Just as with the drooping plant, I do not need to wonder what is wrong, I know what is lacking. And just as with the original disciples of Christ—the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
So what do we do when we fail? We need a drink. In John 7:37, Jesus offers the invitation: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” There are so many opportunities to come to the water. Maybe it’s in your bed while you are lying awake at night, maybe it’s falling on your knees and telling the Lord you are sorry for forgetting or replacing Him, maybe it’s sitting in the Prayer Room or the Worship Center and saying nothing more than, “I’ve missed you, Lord”. Another opportunity to drink deeply was offered last Monday night at the Celebration of Prayer and Praise. I think most that attended would agree that their cup was filled that evening and they walked out the door thirsty for more of the One who supplied the drink.
Like the plant that I forgot to water was refreshed, so it is with you and I when we drink of the Living Water that is Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Drink deeply, my friend!
Erin Jacobsma, Office Administrator