Will you Be a Stream or a Desert?

Every so often my mother and I get into what I call “truth bomb” conversations. It usually follows a family Sunday lunch, when the both of us start chatting and unconsciously clear the table of anyone else sitting at it. We can talk for hours, but at some point, we arrive somewhere new. A new insight or a new source of understanding. Consequently, let it never be said that I didn’t take advantage of having a mother who prays. These are some of my most treasured memories.

Two Sundays ago we started talking about the effects of healthy and unhealthy people and this invitation announced itself in my spirit and I said it out loud:

“Will you be a Stream or a Desert?”

We didn’t fully comprehend it at the time but what we received right away was Love. You have to understand, Isaiah 35:6 and the old devotional “Streams in the Desert” are both very special to us.  We sat there in awe at how personal God is. When He speaks, His words are doing so much more than just delivering a message – He has staggering depth! His words, simultaneously, Love, Encourage, Comfort, Relieve, and Edify. Simultaneously, they destroy doubt, fear, and individualism and raise up Hope, Peace, Community, and Joy.

I repeat the invitation:

“Will you be a Stream or a Desert?”

As with most things Eternal, it has taken a little while to unpack those words to make them applicable to daily life. It has been altering, thinking of my choices and interactions with people this way. I pray that this is of use to you as well.

What are some of the qualities of a Stream?

It is Replenishing
It is Nourishing
It is Comforting
It is Pleasant
It is Restoring
It can carry away Debris
It arrives from a larger Source
It is Hopeful and Inspiring
It is Peaceful
It has Momentum

What are some of the qualities of a Desert?

It is Desolate
It lacks Nourishment
It gives no Shelter or Comfort
It does not have an end in sight
It does not provide Rest
It is Static and lacks Momentum
It is Draining
It is Hopeless
It doesn’t Inspire

Now, this is important. I want to distinguish between a place of Pain and a Desert. Pain and discomfort are inevitable but they don’t lack Nourishment. (Romans :3-5) Some of my life’s greatest lessons have come from these places. They are essential to our growth, our compassion, and our understanding of Eternity.

A healthy person in a place of Pain can still be a Stream to others.
(A healthy person takes responsibility and makes choices)

An unhealthy person in a place of Pain will be a Desert to others.
(An unhealthy person does not take responsibility and makes no choices)

If you are in a painful place, I pray you quicken your heart and mind to receive Christ’s Love and Compassion and you surround yourself by people who can be Streams to you. I pray that the lesson would become obvious and that you can apply it instantly. I pray you that you pick up Momentum to continue to do the big work that you are here for – the bigger work of being a Stream!

If you are a Desert, I pray you know how Loved you are. I pray you realize and accept the effects your non-choices. I pray that you pick up your mat and walk. I pray that you want more for your life. And I pray that you pick up Momentum to continue to do the big work that you are here for – the bigger work of being a Stream!

And Beloved, if you were once a Stream and now find yourself a Desert. It’s okay. It’s likely you have just gotten disconnected from the Lord through hard life circumstances. I pray you reconnect with Him. I pray that you experience the Healing Power of Rest. I pray that you would realize all of the valuable things you have already accomplished. And I pray that you pick up Momentum to continue to do the big work that you are here for – the bigger work of being a Stream!

I invite you:

“Will you be a Stream or a Desert?”