Full Immersion

“And God split open the hollow place that is at Lehi, and water came out from it. And when he drank, his spirit returned, and he revived. Therefore the name of it was called En-hakkore; it is at Lehi to this day.” [En-hakkore means ‘the spring of him who called’] Judges 15:19

Hydrangeas need water (‘hydra’ means water) and drink it in through stem and petal. My recent lovely arrangement drooped after a day, but after spending a night submerged in a full sink, beautifully revived. It seemed miraculous–yet it is a gracious picture of Who our Savior is and how the Living Water restores and revives so we can fully live. “Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” What is thirsty He satisfies, what is weary He energizes, what is barren He makes fruitful, what is wounded He heals, what is dead He resurrects, and all this for His glory and purposes. Because He was weary, thirsty, stripped, wounded, and crucified for us, He gave new and vibrant life for us to live for Him, and others. (John 7:37;10:10; Matthew 11:28; Isaiah 53:4-5)

Samson went on, in Judges, to rescue Israel. All Jesus revives in me is not for my own benefit and pleasure, to spend on what I determine and prefer, but for His sake and kingdom purposes. The blossoms He revives, the gifts and enabling He gives, declare His beauty and are to be enjoyed by many. Full immersion in Him gives vitality so I can be fully immersed in what He has for me to do. “Do not neglect the gift you have. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, [‘be in them’] so that all may see your progress.” “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (1 Timothy 4:14-15; Ephesians 2:10)

Lord, when I tire, when I lose direction and zeal, when I list toward preferring myself and my plans over Yours, dunk me again in You and refresh my spirit. Fill me with new vigor to stay fully immersed in Your holy and eternal work. May You receive all the glory.