Cramped

A recent swell had me so amped! It had been a long month of little to no motion in the ocean but all forecast models were saying the same thing – waves were on the way! 

The storm passed and overnight the winds went offshore. High tide was around the same time as sunrise so a little coffee (a lot actually) hit the spot as I read my Bible and waited for the tide to fall a little. 

Within a couple of hours, I drove down to the beach with my son to meet some friends. We surfed for nearly 3 hours before taking a break—so much fun. A quick lunch and a cup of iced coffee filled me up as we went back out to a hot spot to watch local rippers put on a show. 

As we watched some friends walked up and the conversation about how good it still was got me back in a suit to paddle out to grab some more waves. 

Soon into the session, I started to cramp in my triceps and lat’s but I stretched it out and kept surfing. The cramping in the tri’s and lat’s happened again. Another time in my chest muscles! What’s going on? I can’t be that out of shape!?! It was a horrible second session. Paddle power – weak! Pop up – struggle bus. When I got home it dawned on me why. I hardly drank any water that day. I was dehydrated. So I made myself a liquid IV and played catchup on the hydration my body needed. 

It was funny but not funny. I starved my body of what it needed to function at its best. I missed out on what could have been another fun surf. 

It reminded me of how I often do that to myself spiritually. Jesus is the living water that continually satisfies, quenches, refreshes, renews, and revives. When I “drink the water” Jesus offers I “will never be thirsty again” – John 4:13. Jesus also tells us in John 13:78 to “remain in me and my words remain in you” we will “produce fruit” and bring “great glory to my Father”. How often do I fail to spiritually hydrate? How often do I miss out on enjoying abiding in Christ? 

We will either drink deeply and sweetly from the well that is in the Word of God or we will withhold from our souls the life-giving substance found in Jesus and settle for spiritual cramps (sinful choices) and lack of or unripe fruit (the full potential of the Holy Spirit). 

Be still and drink deeply and regularly from the Living Water. 

John 7:37-38

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”