Drinking it in. Maybe, I have a drinking problem?
Yes- it’s a real sign. I found it on a camping trip last summer. “Unsafe drinking water.” I looked around to see if there was a sign that read ” drink at your own risk.” There wasn’t. But- I’m sure it was implied.
I found the picture Monday, while going through my computer files. I laughed. Then I thought about all that I’ve been drinking in lately. Some of it should have probably born the same sign: “Unsafe drinking water.”
A few podcasts that are edgy, but funny.
A few TV shows that are mean, but funny. (Are we sensing a theme here?)
A few too many food choices that aren’t healthy or even remotely nourishing, but are absolutely, yumptious. (yummy+ scrumptious=yumptious. It’s a word- I just invented it- mostly applicable during pms. 😉
A few audio books, that if they were TV shows I’d change the channel.
Magazines that focus on appearance more than character. (Women’s magazines are amazing, 33 1/3% food/recipes 33 1/3 Dieting% and 33 1/3% appearance. I made those stats up… but go ahead- flip through a few- it’s about right! 😉
Sometimes, I wish books/tv/other media had a rating system, rated “R” for “explicit language, verbal nudity”….or maybe just a sticker with the sign from camping, saying: “Unsafe Drinking Water.”
But, I wonder- would I drink it anyways? Truth is, I might.
I ocassionally do, chances are – you do too. In one form, or another.
The thing is- over time- it affects how we think, mostly in subtle ways. Enough magazine articles with impossibly skinny models start to make me feel fat and dissatisfied with the body I have. Enough TV shows with perfectly romantic men who put their laundry in the hamper- (or better yet, do their own laundry;)- start to make me think there is something wrong in my marriage…
They should all have the same warning: “Unsafe drinking water.”
What makes us so prone to drinking in what we know is unsafe water? A lot of things- but mostly, I think it’s our thirst.
I feel bored-(or want to de-stress) so I drink in entertainment. I want to improve who I am and how I live… so I suck up a few magazine articles…I want to avoid thinking about the housework I’m doing- so I plug in an audio book to take my mind off it…
The problem is- I’m so full up of “unsafe drinking water” that I don’t have room for fresh living water.
John 4:14
“but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
I ocassionally get things backward. My thirst should drive me to Him. He is the only one who can satisfy.
What are you drinking in today? (besides coffee- we won’t touch that;) This morning I encourage you to join me at the well…. the water is cold, fresh and pure. It satisfies the deepest thirst.
For me- that means I’ll be spending some time outside. Drinking in His creation. Maybe with my camera in hand, taking a close look at His handiwork. Maybe, I’ll soak up some music that focuses my attention on Him, and spend some time reading His word. Click the link it was a good study to see all the ways God mentions water in scripture. Maybe I’ll just sit- in the sunshine, resting in the arms of my Father and drinking in His presense.
How about you? Thirsty?
Have a drink, of living water.
Tracey,
This rocks. Great post as usual. I love it where you say…The problem is- I’m so full up of “unsafe drinking water†that I don’t have room for fresh living water.
Amen, it that not the truth… Wow, I am headed outside for a drink and a prayer. Love you, Lynn
Bless you dear one for another great post.
Oh, you’re steppin’ on some toes here! The truth is so, well, truthful. I’ve grown cold to some things that should shock my socks off! And all in the name of being an informed person. The best thing my hubby ever did was cut the cable off. It was very hard going for a while, and I can still find some shows that should be cut off, but my choices are narrowed way down. I’m training my eyes to keep off the magazines in the grocery checkout isle, but all I can find is candy 😉 to stare at. Whew! This world does NOT make things easy for me!
I used to think that I don’t have time to read Scripture in the morning before heading off to work. Well, I have done it the last couple of days (instead of waiting later in the morning to read His word) – guess what? My mornings go much smoother 🙂
Thank you for sharing from the refreshing water…
Blessings to you and yours.
It is a wonderul post.
These several days I am hurry to pary, hurry to read his words, hurry to anything related to our heavenly father, more time in front of TV, computer, or other things….
I think that I should go directly to the Lord’s well for the living spring water for my thirst….more time be with him…
Thanks
Ooooh, this is a toe-stepper for sure! Fantastic post!
Excellent post, and I sure relate! Thank you for such good and inspiring analogies. I need refreshment from the well of Living Water….every single day. Anything else is just a poor substitute.
Sending hugs……
What a wonderful post – you hit the nail on the head. Sadly when I take the first drink, somewhere God’s still, small voice is telling how bad the water is. At times, I just want it anyway, so I continue to drink and it drowns out His voice. But one day I hear it again – through a teaching at church, time in His word, or just in the quiet of a sleepless night. I pray that I go to that unsafe water pond less and less, but I’m also thankful that He’s forgiving and generous with refreshing, living water.
Jesus will speak to us even if we are at the wrong well. It is up to us to listen and obey. The woman at the well thought she would get a drink, but she left overflowing with living water. Thank God, He still speaks to us in the midst of our poor choices.