I’ve made a practice of drinking half my body weight in
ounces of water daily. So that leaves me around 68 to 70 ounces a day. I
noticed the reaction of my body when it is the recipient of such an amount. I
have less headaches (I’m headache prone sadly), have more energy, my sinuses
and allergies feel manageable, and my stomach is flatter – weight loss. When I
give my body the water it needs, I’m a healthier person.
On the flip side, when I neglect water, I have regular headaches,
my sinuses are clogged, my stomach bloats and I am tired. Really tired. It
makes since though. I’m forcing my body to do all the same things but with not
enough (or the right type of) fuel.
At E.I. we run a mile on Mondays. When it’s hot outside, the
only thing I want to do is have a nice long drink afterwards. I get to the
dining room for lunch and head straight to the water dispenser. Last Monday, I
distinctly remember spilling some on my shirt in my enthusiasm. The water
instantly relieved the dry, sand-paper feel of my lips and tongue, revitalizing
me and boosting my energy level. When I have water moments such as these, I’m
reminded how I should not go long without water, because my body desperately
needs it – especially when I am exercising a lot.
I am like this with most of my physical needs. If I really
need water, I’ll run to the nearest water source and slurp it up, sometime with
such haste that I spill it. If my stomach is whining, I’ll make sure that I get
some food in it as soon as possible. Sometimes I’m so hungry that I will
satisfy that need with no manners at all, like make a mess in the process or
forget to chew with my mouth closed. Or with sleep. I’ll flop down on my bed
after a long day, forget about everything else and just sleep. I will satisfy
these needs with little dignity. Just anything to make sure that I get what I
need.
Truthfully, you probably won’t see anyone who is really hungry or really thirsty or really tired
take care of those things with poise. Normally, the seriously hungry will scarf
down food and have multiple portions, or those that are thirsty will gulp down
their liquid with extra noise, or the really tired may fall asleep in unusual
places.
What this makes me ask, is why do I try to be dignified when
I approach the Lord? If we are talking about needs, the Gospel and love of
Jesus Christ is my greatest need. Why don’t I approach Him like I do other
things? Why do I act like everything has to be “just so” before I approach Him
– like He’s gonna be offended if I don’t have my Bible or have tons of time. I
need to learn how to run to my room, drop my bags and fall to the floor, ready
to be refreshed by my King. David wrote in the Psalms: “My soul thirsts for
You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land where there is water.”
Okay, if David was in a dry and thirsty land, then saw an oasis, do you think
he would a get a glass, ice cubes and gently sip some water in a dignified,
Kingly way? NO! He would run to the pool, jump in, gulping as he splashed
around in joy. At that point, who would care about poise and image? Just
satisfy yourself! Same thing with the Lord. Why do I pray with dignity? It’s my
pride – telling me that I have to have myself together and know what I’m going
to say before I come to the Lord, which is a lie. He wants me to draw near, in
my filth, in my disorganization, in my distraction, in my weariness, in my
inability, and in my unfaithfulness so that He may fellowship with me and
refresh my heart, satisfying my deepest desires – that no salad, cold water or
sleep can.
Just like I would be okay if I got an apple instead of a
full meal, I’m refreshed even a little when I stop for a short moment to
remember who I serve and let Him minister to me. And when I regularly do this,
just like drinking water often, I feel myself get spiritually fit. Spiritual
fitness comes from just quality time with Him. And consistency. I’ve been learning about consistency. If I were to eat
once a week, I would be one scary looking creature. Same goes for my spiritual
life. If I feed on the “Daily Bread” (aka God) once a week, I’m going to be a
visibly mal-nourished Christian. I may be able to hide my emaciated body for a
short time by wearing baggy clothes and keeping my distance from people. But
the moment someone touches me or uncovers me, my true form will be revealed. I
can hide my lack of spiritual health for only a while. When the rubber meets
the road, my unloving, selfish flesh will be released like a pack of wild dogs.
I will not have Jesus by my side to hold them back because I neglected to seek
His presence.
Saul’s daughter, Michal, got upset with King David because
he was dancing before the Lord in the presence of other people. He was
celebrating. He did not care who was watching, he just celebrated the Lord. Am
I willing to strip myself of all my fleshly pride and just celebrate in the
person of Jesus Christ, letting the knowledge or His sacrifice revitalize me?
I want to be the type of woman who lives full speed. She
gives, pours out, serves, loves, worships, protects and works. She wears
herself out on physical tasks and relationships. But, her driving force and
escape is her time with the Lord. After a long day, she runs to her room, slams
the door, and sinks to the floor –exhausted. Pouring her heart out to God, she
processes her day and the lessons she received. Then, she can dance before the
Lord. Celebrating what He has done for her. She rejoices in the fact that she
has a River of Life that she can draw from any time she needs. She is invited
to that River constantly – no prerequisites, dress code, or standard. There is
no place she would rather be.
How should you change the way you approach the Giver of
Life? Are there any ways you feel that you need to be prepared before coming to
Him? Do you feel like being refreshed by Him is the wrong idea? That when you
come to the Lord, it only has to be for learning and prayer for needs?
Maybe you need to go to Him for the first time in a long
time.
I did. Guess what? I found refreshment.
1 comment:
I would have to drink a swimming pool to get half my body weight in liquids =)
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