From the Cisterns in the Desert to Living Streams

Today our pilgrimage did a day trip down south.  We drove down along the Dead Sea to make it to a rock and fortress formation named Masada.  King Herod built on this rock formation a fortress just in case he needed security.  It was protected by the desert on all sides and the closest body of water was the Dead Sea, which of course is undrinkable.  How was this fortress in the middle of the desert a good idea, if people were to live there (including 6-7 century Byzantine monks)? Deep Cisterns!  

(Just imagine this cistern being completely filled)

I could only think about that in the spiritual life.  In many cases throughout our life we go through dryness in our lives.  We encounter trials of sadness and difficulties.  Many times we feel that we are being attacked on all sides (bills, health, relationships)!  How are we to survive?  I can only look at these deep cisterns that would collect water for over long periods of time to sustain future life.  Masada is known to average about 2 inches of rain a year!  Just imagine the work it would take to fill this cistern!  The question's I can only ask, have I prepared in my life cisterns that will help sustain me in dryness or difficulty?  Am I taking the time to fill my cistern?  Am I ignoring that which will later sustain me? Am I taking time for prayer and reflection?  Am I reminding myself how the Lord has guided and protected me thus far? Are I working on building up my relationship with God to sustain all kinds of attacks? From any kind of losses or even death?  Don't wait to start developing a sustaining life in God, in Christ! 

After stopping at Masada, we drove back north to stop at the Ein Gedi - a life giving spring in the middle of the desert.  The only fresh water source in the area!  This brings light to another truth in the spiritual life.  Christ promises to give living water (John 4) to the Samaritan woman.  Not cistern water, which runs out and is dirt and mucky at the bottom, or well water that can eventually dry out.  Christ promises living water, something that is always fresh and always new!  How beautiful it was to see life growing in the middle of the desert!  It brings the spiritual question - has Christ become my living spring?  Have I allowed Christ to always renew me!  Do I trust, in the midst of the desert and troubles that the Lord will draw me to himself, the oasis, bringing new life!  

So in the end - cisterns are good (necessary in our work to get through difficult times), but we must always turn to the living waters that only God can provide?