Desert Blessings

 “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink” John 7:37b 

The prickly pear cactus in my backyard is blooming spectacularly! It shares its vibrant blooms boldly and freely! It is remarkable that only a very small amount of moisture allows the cactus to live and produce such beautiful blooms. The prickly pear flourishes in parched, desert soil and drinks in the sunlight. They are able to tolerate sandy and rocky soil alike and grow best in full sun. Yet some water is necessary for life. 

We are not as resilient as the prickly pear. Jesus knew that. We are not heat or drought tolerant and rocky soil can really stunt our growth! He knew that we would dry up and blow away without his life-giving water of grace. We like to think that we are self-sufficient, but Jesus knows that to thrive we need to drink in his Spirit and let the waters of baptism bless us each and every new day.  

We are all thirsty for his grace, peace, and hope in our lives and for our world. That is why Jesus calls us to come to him and drink of the cup of forgiveness, love, and faith. His living water is available for all people. There are no limits, no boundaries, no stops on this living water that allows us to bloom boldly and freely in all kinds of challenging ground like the hot, dry, desert of these difficult times of 2023. 

Drink from his living water, receive his grace, and bloom spectacularly! Shine bright with his love and produce beautiful blooms of kindness to share with your neighbors. 

Drink Jesus, Pastor Andrea