How many times have you nonchalantly flipped on a light switch, flushed a toilet, or turned the key to your car’s ignition, unconsciously expecting something to happen automatically?

I must admit, I was doing that quite often…until last night.  This experience has heightened my sensitivity and caused my ear to be more sharply attuned to the Father’s voice.  He adjusts and tweaks us in unexpected ways, unique to each of us.  Because He designed us, He knows exactly how to get our attention.

Indoor plumbing enables us to bathe ourselves, keep our homes clean, and live with relative ease.  We view it as a necessity, but the truth is, compared to many parts of the world, it is a luxury.  Maintaining an attitude of gratitude will help us to keep these modern advancements in proper perspective.  Additionally, an “outage” or shortage reminds us to keep a healthy respect for the basic essence of what it takes to live.  I took several “extra steps” to ensure proper/appropriate hygiene – and had the privilege of heating my water in the microwave (thank goodness the power was on) to wash my face.

If running water represents the flow of the Holy Spirit in our lives, what are the ramifications when it’s no longer there?  Could it be that we’re disconnected from the Source?  It reminded me of all the different ways in which running water touches my life:  washing my hands, brushing my teeth, washing my face, and cooking, just to name a few.  The seemingly “little things” make a big difference in our comfort level, and in our ability to function efficiently.

So I became very grateful for the mere PRESENCE and availability of water (though it was in buckets) even though it wasn’t running.  There are times when the Holy Spirit isn’t flowing, but He is available to us – and we don’t appreciate Him until we REALLY need Him and experience that sensation of thirst or drought.

How many times have you not wanted to read your Word until you’ve lost power and can’t turn on the lights?  How many times have you wanted to take a bath (instead of a quick shower) – but realize that when you don’t have running water, you can’t have either?

Priorities/basic needs include food, water, shelter, and clothing.  Everything else is “nice to have,” but not a necessity.  Is the essential fresh water flowing through your life today?

“Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.”

(James 3:11-12)

© Copyright 2006 by Kayren J. Cathcart