Day 3: Nourish #writetogether31days
There’s no doubt that when I’m feeling depleted, empty, in need of contentment, being near water is the nourishment my soul desires. There’s a certain peace, a calm serenity I can’t explain (water people know what I mean) that comes over me the moment I am near it. Lake, ocean, pond, river, trickling stream, it doesn’t matter. When the world leaves me lacking, it is the water that replenishes.
Here’s the thing though, I’m not able to take off to the beach or lake whenever I feel like it. And as I’m sure you know, life can leave us longing for relief a lot! Looking to the mountains, desert, and yes, water to fulfill that hunger just doesn’t work day to day. So what do we do?
“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.”
Psalm 23:1-3a (NIV)
Let’s read that again. (I’m a slow learner) With God, we have everything we need. In Him we find rest and solace. The green pastures and quiet waters aren’t really what our souls desire. It is HE who restores us.
Think back to the Israelites. They escaped with very little and found themselves in a world of need. Depleted, empty, longing for relief, God sent bread from Heaven to nourish their bodies and to remind them they weren’t on their own . It is HE who restores us. “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”
God didn’t stop there. He made sure that in our day to day, las we live in this world of trouble all our needs are met too. “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”
“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’ “
John 6:35 (NIV)
Going to linger at the water’s edge is something I always look forward to doing. And I do feel refreshed when I’m there, but you and I know that feeling doesn’t last long. It is Jesus, the Bread from Heaven who truly feeds our souls. HE provides all you and I need. Whether we’re on the mountain top or in the deep valley, on still waters or in the parched desert we must remember (speaking to myself here) that it isn’t a place, or a thing, or a person that meets our needs or nourishes our souls. It is only, always Jesus.
“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”
I love this Cindy! I was thinking about this Psalm today too!! It is very much a nourishing Psalm. And I love the water too!! I love to sit in the ocean. It is very soothing and inspiring!!
The beach has always been my go to place but in the last few years I have found that I love lake life! My husband and I are headed back in a few weeks and I can’t wait! Thank you for taking your time to comment. It means a lot!
I really love this, Cindy! I also think you and I are kindred spirits in more ways than one. I also love being near the water. There’s just something about it that calms and soothes. But, like you said, that doesn’t last; what does last is that Jesus is all we need. He will never leave us and nothing can take away His love. With Him, we lack nothing. Blessings to you! xo
I’d love a kindred spirit! Can’t wait to find out more ways that we are in the days to come! 💕 I so appreciate you taking your time to comment Gayl. It is a gift to me!