Surviving Heat

The British love to talk about the weather.

Our present dry spell, with the clear blue skies and heat, has produced its usual crop of news events.

Having saved 3 barrels of rainwater from those days when it rained, in order to water assorted plants, we are down to the last few bucketfuls. 

What will we do next?

Some plants, roses in particular, have very deep roots, so they have been fine. Others are shallow rooted, and look thoroughly dead. But once it rains again, we shall see what copes best.

The Bible was collected in a region much more used to this sort of weather, when drought and famine were regular.

The famous conflict between Elijah and King Ahab (and his terrible wife, Jezebel) took place in this context. 'Later on, in the third year of the drought, the Lordsaid to Elijah, “Go and present yourself to King Ahab. Tell him that I will soon send rain!” (1 Kings 18.1)

The prophet Jeremiah, who lived through times when faithful spiritual living was under great pressure, used drought as a metaphor. 'This is what the Lord says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans,     who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord.

They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future.

They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land. 

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord 

and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. 

They are like trees planted along a riverbank, 

with roots that reach deep into the water. 

Such trees are not bothered by the heat 

or worried by long months of drought. 

Their leaves stay green, 

and they never stop producing fruit.' (Jeremiah 17.5-8)

I am challenged by these words to reflect on my own spiritual life. 

What provides the nourishment that I need in my own life? 

Do I have deep roots in the Lord, or am I too dependent on everything going well around me to feel OK? 

Am I taking care to keep rooted in the Lord, or will I be lazy and go with the flow? 

Am I taking time to read the Bible, reflect, pray and resolve to act in the light of these spiritual disciplines?

I pray that we will all address these important issues. 

Best wishes,

Richard