Desert Experience

My country, Australia, has a large arid centre. Running right through this centre from north to south is a network of rivers, which can be dry for years on end. This year, monsoonal rains in the north shed vast quantities of water into the catchment area for these rivers. Slowly, inexorably, the water began to flow south toward a great dry lakebed, Lake Ayre.

As the channels filled, new life appeared. Trees and shrubs flourished; grass sprang up; flowers bloomed. Animals and birds gathered. In Lake Ayre, myriad waterfowl flocked in to feed and breed. Life abounded again in the desert.

God assured his people that he would pour out on them the water of life and Jesus came offering ‘living water’ to all who received him. The same is true today. Renewed spiritually, lives blossom in Christ. Whoever believes in him becomes a source of ‘living water’ (John 7:38) for others. When we allow the Holy Spirit to direct us into acts of mercy, faith and love, we reveal the abundant life (John 10:10) welling up in us.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us each day to reveal your life-giving presence to people we meet. Amen