Spiritual Dehydration*
13 Jesus answered and said unto her, "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
The Gospel of St. John, Chapter Four (KJV)
I really cannot put my finger on what precisely draws me to deserts. Is it the wildness? Certainly, they are forbidding places, but because of that, it's easier to find the solitude to reflect on one's life and the larger mysteries of the universe.
I've always found it telling that when God wants to instruct His people, He sends them into some dessicated landscape: The Israelites in Sinai; Elijah fleeing the wrath of Ahab and Jezebel; Christ communing with the Father for forty days after His baptism. In truth, there's nothing so good at clearing the mind, than walking for hours in the sun with only sounds of one's boots crunching on the gravel for company.
Of course, water is a concern. The plants and animals who survive and thrive in these sorts of environments are remarkably well-adapted. It is amazing to think that tiny, self-contained universes spring to life, reproduce and die all in a matter of the few days it takes for water in a slick rock depression to evaporate. In an area which receives less than 10 inches of precipitation a year, water is truly a gift.
The two elder Official Children and I were hiking down a "dry" wash in Arches, when the Elder Son happened to glance back up the canyon. I was ahead of him and I heard him say, "Dad, look." I turned around. There, tucked under an overhang in the shadows and out of our sight when we passed it, was a bathtub-sized pothole filled with maybe a hundred gallons of rainwater and snow melt. One could see the midges and shrimp swimming around, as well as the evidence of other visitors who relied on this pool for life sustaining drink.
It was like finding a treasure.
As for us humans, in the desert the recommendation is a gallon of water per person per day. All of the guide books I've ever read advise sipping from your supply frequently, even when you don't think you need it. The rule is, if you feel thirsty, you're already dehydrated.
I thought about that injunction in connection with our spiritual walk. So often, at least for me, things seem to be going along swimmingly and thus, do I forget to sip from the waters Christ speaks of above to the woman of Samaria. It is only when things begin to go haywire, that I start flailing around for spiritual assurance and comfort, trying to gulp down as much Holy Hydration, as possible. True, He is there, but perhaps things would not have been so bad, had I only thought to partake of what He has to offer more frequently.
A lesson for me, I think.
Cheers.
R. Sherman
*With apologies to Andy for blatantly swiping the "water/theology" leitmotif.
I've always found it telling that when God wants to instruct His people, He sends them into some dessicated landscape: The Israelites in Sinai; Elijah fleeing the wrath of Ahab and Jezebel; Christ communing with the Father for forty days after His baptism. In truth, there's nothing so good at clearing the mind, than walking for hours in the sun with only sounds of one's boots crunching on the gravel for company.
Of course, water is a concern. The plants and animals who survive and thrive in these sorts of environments are remarkably well-adapted. It is amazing to think that tiny, self-contained universes spring to life, reproduce and die all in a matter of the few days it takes for water in a slick rock depression to evaporate. In an area which receives less than 10 inches of precipitation a year, water is truly a gift.
The two elder Official Children and I were hiking down a "dry" wash in Arches, when the Elder Son happened to glance back up the canyon. I was ahead of him and I heard him say, "Dad, look." I turned around. There, tucked under an overhang in the shadows and out of our sight when we passed it, was a bathtub-sized pothole filled with maybe a hundred gallons of rainwater and snow melt. One could see the midges and shrimp swimming around, as well as the evidence of other visitors who relied on this pool for life sustaining drink.
It was like finding a treasure.
As for us humans, in the desert the recommendation is a gallon of water per person per day. All of the guide books I've ever read advise sipping from your supply frequently, even when you don't think you need it. The rule is, if you feel thirsty, you're already dehydrated.
I thought about that injunction in connection with our spiritual walk. So often, at least for me, things seem to be going along swimmingly and thus, do I forget to sip from the waters Christ speaks of above to the woman of Samaria. It is only when things begin to go haywire, that I start flailing around for spiritual assurance and comfort, trying to gulp down as much Holy Hydration, as possible. True, He is there, but perhaps things would not have been so bad, had I only thought to partake of what He has to offer more frequently.
A lesson for me, I think.
Cheers.
R. Sherman
*With apologies to Andy for blatantly swiping the "water/theology" leitmotif.
Labels: Arches National Park, Christianity, Trips
posted by R. Sherman at 2:59 AM
7 Comments:
Beautiful message. I'm so glad I subscribed to your feed. About half way I was all "great, another man-centered post disguised as spirituality" but then you brought it home. Drinking regularly rather than waiting until you're dehydrated...just beautiful.
Oh, and I've lived in some form of desert for the past 35 years. It's not as nice as you would imagine.
No apologies necessary, Randall. Beautifully said.
Randall - I had no idea you were such a "Man-centered Post." I'm shocked! ;)
Thank you for the wonderful blog. First of all, I was right there with you in the desert. Its hot and dusty, but it makes for some really good hiking. Second of all, I was really there with you on the spiritual dehydration. I think half the time I'm suffering from spiritual heat stroke.
I can't wait for tomorrow - a new hike! I always love hiking some place I've never been before.
Someone's poisoned the well in the Middle East. I can't believe what's going on there in the name of religion. People have gone mad.
That's a nice story, Randall - that's what I started out meaning to say!
Arch, Andy & Will, thanks for the kind words.
Will, I am a manly man's man, but not in a gay way, OK?
Sam, the Middle East is on-tap for tomorrow, methinks.
BTW, your neck looks a bit bumpy.
Cheers.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarggggh!!
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