A Light In Times Of Darkness

This is a note referencing those we know that seem to be a light in times of darkness and turmoil. We’ve all met those that seem to exude goodness. Are these people exempt from drama and turmoil? Do they not have a care in the world, or do they not have to deal with the same junk the rest of us go through, and they just are better at coping? 

As I write these words, I’m thinking of a few folks who I know well. They are solid as a rock, and in spite of various trials, seem to do very well. They do well in attitude, possessing wisdom, and enjoying a contentment that eludes many. This group of people are a happy bunch who enjoy a reputation that others will never know. I have a hunch their influence is a direct result of inflows and outflows that keep their soul in a relatively constant state of freshness, void of stagnation. Wouldn’t that be nice? To live in a state of peace, avoiding anxiety, and to influence others as a light to those who need a little pickup. Here is a word picture of nature where freshness provides life.

We used to hunt in a special place in the mountains of New Mexico that was unique for many reasons. The seven-thousand-foot elevation and crisp, clear air, along with the large expanse of Ponderosa pines, made it a retreat. The friends and family that joined us during those special years for elk hunting trips know how amazing it was. On any clear night, you could see a million stars and more than one galaxy, like very few places in America. It was in New Mexico that the Hale-Bopp comet was first discovered because of the especially clear skies down there.

However, there was one attribute of that high-mountain meadow that clearly fostered the uniqueness beyond virtually every other quality of the experience. There was an underground spring that fed a seven acre, high-mountain lake that was at the heartbeat of the entire ecosystem. This spring-fed lake never missed a beat, even under the extreme drought conditions that lasted for a decade. The lake never went up or down. It simply was there, crystal clear, in the midst of long hot summer days, and overly dry fall hunting conditions. 

Because the lake and the surrounding bog and its grassy bottoms were sub-irrigated, there was always grass and water for the elk, and a few livestock that the neighboring rancher would bring over. In the summer and fall, one could see more elk than a tourist will see on just about any day at Yellowstone Park. In the hot, late afternoon, hundreds of elk could be found streaming in from all directions to eat and drink, and spend the night, residing in comfort as they were renewed. It was something to see! And – it was a show that repeated itself virtually every night.

A spring is life-giving. There is nothing like a spring in a dry and parched land. In that special New Mexico landscape, we would see bobcats, bears, deer, and elk. The big cats were there, but I never had the pleasure of seeing one. But there was life, and plenty of it. All due to the life-giving water that was present all the time – every day of the year – drought years and all. That special place and the benefits of that spring will always hold fond memories for us. All because of a little water.

Perhaps you have become familiar with the Biblical analogies of living water. If you’re like me, it may be easy to gloss over the full impact of just why we need to be replenished and the avenues available for restoration, enduring, and even thriving when darkness or challenges are present. How well we function under the pressures of darkness and dysfunction has a lot to do with the resources we bring into the situation.

Living Water is one of the most relevant metaphors employed by Old Testament prophets, as well as Jesus himself in the book of John. When there is no water, life is choked out. Whether you’ve lived in the northern U.S., or in the sunbelt, and you enjoy a lush green lawn, you know what it’s like when sprinklers don’t provide full coverage, or you cut your watering back. I hate those dry spots! I fight against them as if they were a plague of sorts, coming against me to drive me crazy. When you desire a beautiful green lawn, you’re going to need a little fertilizer and a lot of water.

Fountain of Living Waters

Through the prophet Jeremiah, God declares that since Israel has “forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters,” prosperity would be illusive. God is driving a stake in the ground, claiming that He is, in fact, the “Fountain of Living Waters.” What is important here is the context of God’s declaration to his people. Throughout the Old Testament, we can see God reminding his people of all that he had done for them. How he led them through a dry and parched land of drought, pushed out enemies ahead of them, and then into the breadbasket of Canaan where he delivered a bounty, completely satisfying every need they could possibly have. Indeed, he is the Fountain of Living Waters, and to this day, he demonstrates his capacity to provide for every need we have in life.

When life is the toughest, it is like our tank begins to run low. Our reservoir begins to get sapped as frustration or desperation takes hold. It’s in this state of being energy-deprived and discouraged that we need to consider just what to do to turn our ship around. Don’t feel like getting out of bed, or going to the office? Do you not want to do all that is on your plate for today, or deal with the one who saps every ounce of energy out of you? Just by seeing his or her name come up on your cell phone brings on stress. There’s a reason for your energy deprived and anxious state. You are running on empty and have neglected to look in the right place to be renewed. 

I’m often amazed at my wife Margo, and how she keeps going when oppressed by someone that cannot help herself to be condescending and controlling. I can tell when her emotional tank is depleting, and it is so interesting that she bounces back as quickly as she does. It’s clear that she is constantly renewed by the re-filling of her spirit by God himself. He leads her through the wilderness, refreshing her as she goes along. There is no other explanation.

That spring-fed lake I was talking about had an outlet, and a little creek that came out the lower side. New water in, constantly flowing through the system and out the other side – and no stagnation. That’s what I see in Margo. Even if there are emotional withdrawals working against her, new Living Water is flowing in. No room for bitterness, victimhood, or stagnation. When she takes a hit, she’s learned to remain fairly silent and let God fight those ugly battles. You can see the wisdom in her actions. No responding with a tit for tat mentality. No, she will be content to stay out of the fray where others would easily decimate another and their poor behavior. 

Margo’s reputation remains intact, where another’s is tarnished by ugliness and harsh assaults. Sometimes it’s hard to watch, but I have to admit, even though at the time the abuse takes its toll, she has it figured out, and bounces back with joy and even love for the abuser. It’s remarkable to observe, and only a heart that’s working as a functioning chamber to love others could make her responses possible. Of course, I am the biggest beneficiary of this river that flows through Margo. To be married to one that knows the Source and readily invites Him into daily life, is to neutralize the enemy’s constant attacks. She reminds me of both her mom and dad, and her aunt Marietta who is equally unique.

Jesus provides an accurate description of exactly this kind of heart reaction to the ugliness of the world we live in. He said if we believe, “Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.” (John 7:37)  In other words, one key benefit of life in Christ is – what comes out of us. Our response to negative stimuli would clearly be in this category of “what comes out of us.” 

How do you respond to the negative stimuli of daily life, or perhaps more important – dark forces that could be coming against you? Anxiety, depression, the daily grind that seems to be beating you down. Do you find yourself running from life? Searching for some perfect place or lifestyle that would just get you to a happy place? There are so many ways the enemy will attack your mind and emotions to inject dissatisfaction into your life. Remember, that’s where he started in the garden. Convincing two otherwise happy folks that they weren’t happy after all and needed “something more.”

All of these emotions and forces work against us and are especially crippling if our tanks are low. The only explanation I have for Margo’s ability to handle negativity is the constant inflows and outflows she experiences. The emotional withdrawals are almost immediately replaced with a spring flowing from the Living Water that is described throughout the Bible. The resulting “rivers of living water” flowing from her heart not only get her through the struggle but make her a blessing and example for anyone that knows her. It’s the immediacy of the spring that makes for such difference making, along with her simple faith that in fact God knows best.

Margo’s dad is probably the most remarkably positive person I’ve ever known. His nickname has been “Happy Howard” by those that know him. I’ve known Howard for over fifty years and there has been no place where he has set up camp where he hasn’t made a huge impact. The accolades are endless, and he is spoken of in the highest regard by virtually anyone that has encountered Howard. And I’m not talking only about long-term relationships he has known. He has been in assisted living for about six years now and now has been moved to “Memory Care”. He has been in his new housing arrangement for only a couple of months, but when we announced to the workers that he will now be leaving to live in a new place in Southern California, near other family, there has been a sadness amongst the staff. Every person in his facility loves Howard. He is always happy, and never complains. His stock answer when you ask him how he’s doing is, “If I was doing any better, I couldn’t stand it.” That’s the same answer I’ve heard for the last fifty years! 

Howard builds others up. That has been his mission and work his entire life. He serves others, and puts them first. I’ve seen him put a smile on when it’s not been easy. When it made no sense to project happiness, Howard still led with a smile. I am certain he interacted with others when his cup was low, as we all do. But the rivers of living water were flowing strong, clear, and rapidly into his heart so he could lavish love on another – in spite of his own circumstance. We have a postcard on our refrigerator from a male flight attendant who wrote Howard a note saying how discouraged he was until Howard came along for a one hour flight. In one hour, he turned this guy’s day around because of his grateful and joyful attitude.

Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds – anyone who is thirsty may come to me!”

John 7:37

There is a reason Jesus was shouting. John says that, “Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds – anyone who is thirsty may come to me!”(John 7:37) Then he tells of rivers of living water flowing through one’s heart. Jesus knew we can get so depleted that emotional and spiritual bankruptcy could sink us. He implores us to come and get filled up! Take a minute and visualize Jesus standing up and shouting. Rivers of living water are worth shouting about!

Another time at the well, he told a Samaritan woman that if she would just ask him, he would give her living water. Jesus makes it simple. No games or leverage. Just a free gift to get the flow moving. We just need to ask him, and he will pour out a blessing we won’t be able to contain. “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” And then Jesus compares the two wells – the village well, and this special spring he offers. “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.  But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

Jesus is talking benefits. But he’s also describing the freshness of a bubbling spring. But this spring is an internal, life-giving spring, coming from within. It’s like that subterranean spring coming up underneath the lake in New Mexico. Oh, it would be nice if we could catch just a glimpse of what Jesus is offering up. To miss this is to miss out on a better existence. This bubbling spring – a “bubbling spring within them” is what changes your outlook and enables us to bounce back when attacked by the dark forces. 

This is the peace that prevails when normally you would be subdued by your anxiety. It’s the never-ending love of God speaking to you when you’re in a dark place saying, “I am here. I’ve got this. Have I ever let you down?” This spring of promises and reminders allows us to move forward, unflinchingly towards a peaceful and happy life in the present – no matter the current whirlwind we find ourselves in.

The viability of the spring is found in the source. Somewhere, way down in there, is a source of the purest and never-ending water to be found. This is why the spring metaphor is so relevant. It is also why the immediacy of faith connects us to this source. 

Only the Creator of the universe can take credit for the grandest displays of nature. He paints a new tapestry every morning in the skies above, or a new dusting of snow on the mountain tops. If you’ve ever stood at the edge of the great falls of Yellowstone or Niagara, you were awestruck at the endless flow of water heading to the brink.  Where does all this majesty come from? The Creator is the source! And so it is with us when we drink from the well. We are tapping into Something – Someone deep down inside that is the source of benefits and kept-promises that continue to bubble up – as Jesus puts it.

The good promises of God are never revoked. They are like springs which know no shrinking in times of drought.

John Henry Jowett

John Henry Jowett says, “The good promises of God are never revoked. They are like springs which know no shrinking in times of drought.” And so it was that the Apostle Paul came to “rejoice in his infirmities.” He brought a bigger pitcher to the fountain, and he always carried it away full. “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” Jowett says that God has no roads without springs – if the path stretches across the waste wilderness, “the fountains shall break out in the desert. These fountains will not fail us in the wilderness.”

To rejoice in our infirmities, we’ll need to believe that God is bigger than our problems, or we in fact won’t sleep good at night. It is when we trust God that the spring opens up and begins to cleanse out those pesky fears.

All of these attributes and characteristics listed here are desirable. We want to experience and project to be more: loving, joyful, giving, magnetic, positive, and attractive. We should want to have better relationships and have a positive influence.  We would like to think we could have a chance at leaving a phenomenal legacy, at least with those closest to us. Additionally, we should desire wisdom and to walk through life in peace, with little anxiety. Is it not a pure motive to desire a Godly way to navigate tough circumstances with patience and understanding?

But how do we attain these attractive qualities? Can we “will” them into our lives? Do they automatically just show up if we say yes to Christ? Surely, everything on the list above describes an emotionally and mentally healthy person. As we say in our house – “I want summa that!”

Jesus’ Invitation to Living Water

Jesus is saying exactly that as he yells out for us to come to him. He is saying at the top of his lungs as he shouts, “Come and get it!” All these benefits are listed in Galatians – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – and are exactly what Jesus says will come bubbling up when we come to him. No wonder he was shouting! He has what we all desire, and he offers it up for free! 

These are the Springs of Living Water coming directly from the Fountain of Life – God himself, that are described as a fruit of the Spirit. You and I can make a difference for others, and for ourselves when we tap into these springs that come from deep within, and water our soul and others as we simply trust God to fill us up. Let’s do that and live a fuller and complete life fully tapped into the Source of all things good. Let’s make an oasis out of a desert and restore life to ourselves and others. Let’s ask God to open up the floodgates of our mind, heart, body, and soul. Life’s too short to stumble around in a dry and desolate place. We have the way out, and the price has been fully paid. Let’s receive the gift!