Most anyone who knows me is aware of where I’d rather be than just about anywhere. In a river out in the wild casting a dry fly upstream. I love the thought of being outside in one of the greatest canvasses in the world. Nonstop flow of crystal clear water with magical sounds and life underneath the surface. It always helps when I’m surrounded by majestic mountains and crisp cool air at high altitudes. This is one activity that gives me life.
I love the adventure of what I see. I love the remarkable creativity in the setting. I love the endlessness of marvel it brings to my heart. There’s something sacred and very replenishing to my soul. I think that’s why I love fly fishing so much.
It makes me think about what David wrote in Psalm 19 where he said, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” Perhaps it’s that truth that makes being in the outdoors so enriching to my soul. That is where I worship God most naturally. It is beautiful, awe inspiring, and untamed. That’s why it gives me life. It is experiencing God in his majestic creation.
But we all are refreshed somewhere. Some of us find life in things like art or activities like running. Others find it in areas that you wouldn’t expect. I have a friend who worships God when he working on an Excel spreadsheet. He puts some praise music on, puts his ear buds in, and he marvels at the God of the universe who created math! Finding where you find life and refreshment is important. It gives you a moment of rest and places you in a good position to worship God.
I have to be honest. I sometimes struggle to worship during church. It isn’t because it’s not a great time or that the people who lead us are not good at what they do because we have an amazing worship team. It’s more because I sometimes struggle to keep focused. I think about my job or I get distracted by people watching or I am drawn to my cell phone. Not always, but more often than not. I’m working on that and growing in my ability to sing and worship at church, but when I am outdoors, especially in a river, I cannot help but worship. There is something about being outside and standing in a river fishing. I guess I think about the Living Water Jesus spoke about to the woman at the well.
He told her that if she drank from the well she was drawing from she would be thirsty by noon, but he then said to her that if she drank of his living water that she would never thirst. I like that and as I grow in my relationship with God and get older myself I understand more what he is talking about. The wells we can drink from can be anything from wealth to work or from security to sex. They might provide some immediate satisfaction but they always leave you wanting more. Jesus, however, fully satisfies with what the world can never provide. With him we actually find satisfaction. But that flowing water that I stand in while observing the majestic mountains reminds me of this living water that Jesus provides.
Whether you are refreshed in the outdoors, doing finances or lifting your voice in song during worship service at your church, it is important to find our ultimate rest in Jesus who is the Lord of the Sabbath (rest). He is the Living Water. Rest in him, for in him there is life.
Neale Davis 