Did you see that viral video of a parched koala in the area of the devastating bushfires in Australia who stood on the road and begged for water from passing cyclists? The poor koala climbed right up on a bicycle to get a drink from the cyclist’s water bottle. It drank and drank. Have you ever felt dried up? This week I felt that way when I tried to think of what to write. Usually, there are things the Lord has been working on in my life that are top of mind and easy to write about. But this week I just felt like my well went dry. So I started thinking of all the ways the Lord fills our thirsty souls.
The good news is that we always have access to his living water to hydrate our shriveled inner being. His water causes new life to spring up in dry places. This living water is so accessible because it is within us, a gift from Jesus. His own Spirit is with us to give us all we need.
“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him”. John 7:38-39
We can’t whip up this renewal and refreshment on our own. It’s his gift. But there are some ways that we can put ourselves in the frame of mind to receive his gifts of renewal, refreshment, and restoration. One Hebrew word for renewal is the word for changing clothes. I like that word picture of taking off the dirty, worn clothes and putting on lovely, clean clothes. I need that change of attitude often! Here are the ways I thought of that put us in a place where God can open his fresh, bubbling spring in us.
“those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:14
We stop and turn our thoughts to God.
As long as we run in mental circles, we will wear ourselves out. But when we quiet our minds and think about our great God, he will come near and refresh us.
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us. Psalm 46:10-11
“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” Colossians 3:1,2
We trust his promises.
When we have confidence that the Lord will take care of us, we don’t wear ourselves out with the ‘what ifs’. We know he will lead us by still waters and into green pastures.
“The Lord is my shepherd
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.” Psalm 23:1-3
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.” 2 Cor 4:16
We pray and leave our worries at the feet of Jesus. 
We can exhaust ourselves carrying the burdens of life, or we can lay them down.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5-7
We worship.
Lifting our praise to our great God lifts us up and gives us a better perspective, a kind of bird’s eye view. We can worship by our attitude, our words, and our songs. Since ancient times, music has been a vehicle of praise. Song shifts our emotions and our minds toward higher things.
“Come, let us worship and bow down.
Let us kneel before the Lord our maker,
for he is our God.
We are the people he watches over,
the flock under his care.” Psalm 95:6-7
We read his words.
We dive into the cooling, soothing, yet stimulating words of Scripture to renew our thoughts. Another way to get Scripture into our thinking is to read what godly people have written about Scripture. Sometimes getting others’ fresh perspective on God’s word leads us to refreshing waters.
“The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul.” Psalm 19:7
We are obedient.
We can’t receive his blessings of renewal when we’re running in the wrong direction. His peace and strength are reserved for those who obey.
“Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” James 4:8
Also Psalm 97, Matthew 11:28, Philippians 4:8-9
We spend time with other believers.
We aren’t programmed for isolation. Solitary confinement is one of the worst punishments in the penal system, yet we often cut ourselves off from those who could help us. We are meant to be in community with others who have different gifts so each of us can be encouraged.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
We refresh others.
It’s a known fact that when we give, we actually receive at the same time. And often we receive back later on when we need it, but least expect it.
“The generous will prosper;
those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25
We soak in beauty.
Beauty is an attribute of God. When we appreciate the beauty of his handiwork, we connect with God. Savoring his creation and his creatures puts us in awe of the power and wisdom of God.
“They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature.” Romans 1:19-20
Turn our thoughts toward God
Trust in his promises
Pray
Read his words
Worship
Obey
Enter into community
Meet needs.
Soak in beauty.
Which one will you work on this week? I can almost hear those bubbling springs!
P.S. Just read that koalas are dying of pneumonia after drinking from water bottles. Drinking from a bottle above their heads causes koalas to aspirate which leads to pneumonia. The humans meant well, but koalas are designed to drink by lapping water in small quantities with their heads down. Maybe there’s a lesson for us in that sad story. God designed us to be refreshed in certain ways. When we try to refresh ourselves with entertainment, shopping, food, drink, drugs, etc, apart from him, we get hurt.
“For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me— the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all! Jeremiah 2:13