Growing Faith: 4~Drinking Living Water

The promise of life in a seed is in the form of the seed embryo inside. The seed coat protects until access to the nutrients from water and soil is available. The seed coat’s design is to weaken after planting to allow the nutrients to act upon the seed embryo to begin the rooting process. Once planted, if the coat stays in place, it will hinder the growth of the plant. No water gets in. No root forms.

Since this is a series about growing faith, I have been thinking of the similarities between seed coats and the protective coverings we put around our hearts as we move through life. No one has immunity. One of the gifts God gives us is the ability of self-protective behaviors that act like seed coats until we no longer need them; until we trust Him with everything. In early childhood, we begin to learn how to adjust our expectations, behaviors, and access of others into our inner most thoughts. Not everyone has our best interests at heart or is safe to trust. Our physical environments may or may not be conducive to optimum growth. We learn to protect ourselves in different ways until we can discern whom to trust, become able to define our own environments, determine what we need to thrive and how to obtain it. Until we know God.

Consider This:  Sometimes we have a hard time letting go of our own protective behaviors. They have been our comfort for so long, we cannot imagine life without them. This is probably true of everyone. Even Christians. We may let our guard down in some areas and deep healing comes. We live with the joys of that comfort for a while and then, in God’s goodness, He makes us aware of another area He wants access to so our faith will deepen. Each time, it may be a struggle to let Him into those areas that we are still protecting by our self-appointed armor. We may not realize it is there until He shows us because it has become a part of who we are; an integral part of what defines us.

Water has a lot to do with its loosening the seed coat before the root can grow. Soaking hard things in water softens them. Water cleanses away impurities and dirt. Medicine mixed with water makes it easy to swallow and absorb. Water carries soluble nutritional elements to feed our body. We need water to live, it is a basic requirement. Without it, we die of thirst. In the Bible, water represents these same life-giving properties. The presence of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and scriptures are all symbolized by water; living water. Continually soaking in the Word, resting in His presence, allowing Him to show us that He is our protector now and wearing His armor instead of our own are all ways of drinking the living water.

How do we know where we are still holding tightly to our seed coats and hindering our spiritual growth? He will show us. We can look at where we have difficulty in relationships, how we react in certain circumstances and why we become anxious or angry at times; blaming others. We can also use humor as an effective barrier. Anything can work.

We can also say no to God when He comes calling. I did it the other day, only I said “Oh no! No. No. No.” I laugh now because I know He is tender toward me and knows when I am not ready. But it effectively alerted me to loosen my guard and trust Him more in that area. Awareness is a beginning. I just need to soak a little more in His presence to loosen my armor and drink of His water. I will exchange my armor for His and my faith roots will deepen. My armor limits spiritual growth. His armor allows for stronger roots to produce more abundant fruit and a richer relationship with Him.

What are the areas of your life where God is asking for greater access to you? How will you respond?

“Surely God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water…” Isaiah 12:2-3

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Thank you to those who have read my book 'A Confident Expectation 40 Hope-Full Conversations'.  With billions of books available to choose from, I am humbled that you have chosen to read mine. Many of you have told me how God has spoken to you through it's pages. I can only exclaim the goodness of God in the land of the living. Blessings. Shirley