The Desert Place

So we, in Kwazulu Natal, and other parts of South Africa, are in a drought. We knows this. Its been one of the worst droughts we have ever experienced. In Durban we had rainfall last week... and because of the drought conditions, when the rain came, we had floods that caused lots of damage. it was from one extreme to the next, and our ground couldn't cope. it really was devastating in a lot of areas.

But its one thing to know that we are in a drought, its another to come face to face with the stark reality of how bad it is.

That was once a might river. .  . you can clearly see where the height of its banks. . . you can clearly see that there is no water left. It is devastating. The one area we stayed in, by my uncle's place, used to average 1.5 meters a year in rainfall. The combined rainfall in the last 2 years has only been 300 mls. that is like 1/10 of what it should be. . . that is super scary!

But yet i noticed something/s...

• It is still beautiful. . . Despite the drought. . . just look at how beautiful this glimpse of Africa truly is.
• There is still life and growth. . . struggling to survive, but its surviving.
• The animals [especially the elephants] know how to dig deep to find the water that remains under the surface. if you look carefully you will see a puddle of water evident,this is only there because it was created by the animals digging for water

It's the same for us in our lives. No matter how dead and barren it seems . . . there is always beauty still evident. . . and even when we are spiritually dry there is a reserve that we cant see....waiting below the surface....if only we are prepared to dig for it.

Also don't trust in the water to be your source. . . .that mighty flowing river can't be your security. . . whether that is a movement of God, a miracle, an encounter with God, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit or your local church. .. there is always hope but you have to dig deep . . . YOU ...not someone else for you...don't allow the mass flow of corporate faith carry you mindlessly along. Stop and dig your own wells so that there is water to be found when the drought comes and the seemingly inconceivable happens as the river dries up.

And if you are in the desert, let it be the place that you use to deepen your intimacy....so instead of crawling out the desert panting, sand in your teeth, delusional from dehydration, alone and sunburnt...instead of that image trying to make it out the desert [if they ever do]...you come out supported  in the arms of the One Who Loves You.

Songs 8:5

Who is this sweeping in from the desert,
    leaning on her lover?