Transitioning from drought to flowing water.

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Hiking in the mountains this spring has been very different from previous years. I have experienced twelve spring seasons here in Colorado, and with each one my hikes became drier. Streams diminished to a mere trickle and eventually were completely gone. Vegetation started looking sparse. Large fires and disease decimated forests. Yet now, after nineteen years, the drought has ended. Reservoirs are full, streams are flowing, and farmers have hope for their crops.

I took this picture at the base of a hike up to a reservoir on Pikes Peak. This waterfall was flowing right next to the trail head. It was encouraging to see so much water flowing right there at the beginning! It brought a sense of hope, joy and peace.  That stream continued beside us the whole way, and we arrived at the top to a deep pool of water, promising an abundant future for the land below. The drought is over!

Some of us complained about the heavy snows of winter, and the dark rainy days of spring. Yet these things were necessary to produce the quick turn around from debilitating drought to abundant life.

The same is true in our spiritual lives. We experience seasons of dryness, not growing much or learning new things about God. We continue to worship, and read God’s Word, but we are not experiencing refreshing new revelation and peace. We hunger and thirst for more, while our season of drought extends.

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”
Psalm 42:1-2 New International Version

However, we are often uncomfortable with the changes needed to end the drought. Times of darkness, storms, and struggle are frequently required to produce the living water we are craving to flow through us. We learn a great deal about God when we suffer hardship. On the other side of our storms, streams of living water flow through us and our deep reservoirs are filled with joy and hope once again. From there we are equipped to quench the thirst of others.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado