If
I don't weed today, I can weed next week. If I don't prune my fruit trees in winter, I can prune them in the spring. If I don't add enough
compost to my asparagus roots this year, I can do it next year. But if I don't
water today, I may destroy my garden.
Watering
is the most time-sensitive task in the garden—and in life. Isaiah warned: Therefore, as tongues of fire lick up straw
and as dry grass sinks down in the flames, so their roots will decay, for they
have rejected the Law of the Lord Almighty. (5:24). What causes people to
torch their lives? When they reject or ignore the Scriptures.
In
order to restore the native prairie grasses on our land, we had to burn away
the years of an accumulated, eight-inch thatch. This was a dangerous task. I never
burned in strong winds. I carefully laid out hoses so that I could control the
burn (without melting my hoses!) I began with small burns around the perimeter.
I burned against the wind. I maintained constant vigilance. I did all of this
because I have witnessed the terrifying dash of fire through dry prairie grass.
The grasses look like they have been hit by an incendiary bomb, shooting flames
and smoke high into the sky. That's the image God wants me to hang onto—if I
don't water my life regularly with the
Law of the Lord, the roots of my life will erupt in flames.
David
understood his need to drink:
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you; my body longs for you;
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water. (Ps.63)
I
find David's intense words disturbing—and challenging. "Lord, remind me
that only you can quench the longings in my soul. Don't let me become a regular
drinker at any other wells. I want you and your Truth to be the passion of my
life."
