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TRUST JESUS TODAY

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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: FRESH (04/29/21)
Another day was dawning in our favourite place.

Sitting outside we were enjoying watching the morning come alive, the sky was clear blue, we could feel the sun heating up. It was going to be another beautiful day in Florida.

As we sat there, we were surprised by the arrival of an unexpected visitor, a Manatee swam up to the dock in the canal behind our holiday villa.

Manatees or sea cows, often seen in the Gulf of Mexico, range in size from 2-4 metres and can weigh up to 590 kilograms. They spend most of their time sleeping submerged, surfacing for air at intervals of about twenty minutes. The remainder of their time is spent grazing in shallow water. They can live in sea or fresh water, and although they can drink salt water, their main source of fluid is fresh water. They can go for extended periods of time without drinking but eventually must search out fresh water sources for hydration.

We were very excited to have this visitor swim near our villa. Knowing their need and love of fresh water we turned on the hose and aimed the flow into the canal.

Before long, the Manatee had swum over and was opening his mouth to drink deeply. It was an amazing sight, he was an enormous creature, yet gentle and safe.

We took loads of photos and videos, it’s not every day you see one of these incredible creations of God so close. The Manatee stayed with us for a while, mouth open wide lapping the water, until he was full. Having had his fill, he sunk to the bottom of the canal and swam away, satisfied for now.

Later that day as I was reflecting on our visitor, I was thankful to God for letting us have such a wonderful experience. As I sat quietly in the warmth of the sun, I knew there was a lesson to be learnt, a gem my Father wanted to share with me from our visitor earlier.

Not having constant access to fresh water, Manatees are known to hang around fishing docks as the catch of the day is cut up and hoses are used to wash away the remains of the fish. The Manatees are not after the fish throwaways, but the fresh water being sprayed by the fishermen.

I felt God remind me that I, however, unlike the Manatee, have a constant supply of fresh water, living water, a flow that never wanes or stops. It is always there for me, and I don’t need to go to a certain place or indeed be dependent on any person to supply that flow. This living water comes straight from my Heavenly Father.

In Johns gospel Jesus said to His listeners, “Let anyone who is thirsty, come to me and drink.” (John 7: 37 NIV) He was talking about His Holy Spirit who longs to fill us each day, with streams of living water

How many times do I forget that God’s supply of living water is there for me all the time? Or indeed how often do I try to quench my thirst through worldly supplies that are temporary and do not satisfy?

A river is flowing for those who know the Father, it is there for anyone, if they would but come to the Giver of Life.

I thanked God for the gentle reminder learnt from our unexpected visitor that day.

Let us come with hearts open wide to drink deeply and often, receiving our Father’s living water to fill our souls, reviving and refreshing us. Only this can truly satisfy our deepest needs.
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This article has been read 328 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Holly Westefeld
05/06/21
This is a lovely fresh devotional. Your use of metaphor held my interest and kept it from being a dry list of Scripture passages and predictable commentary.
Laura Manley
05/07/21
Well written! A fresh take on the word challenge. In one paragraph, you have Johns - it needs to read John's. I enjoyed this piece.
Sue Botte 
05/09/21
Now I know something about Manatee's, thank you. A great article. I also belief God's Word (and rain water) is Living water, always fresh. Keep on sharing.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
05/12/21
I thoroughly enjoyed this. You pulled me in right away. I've been blessed to see a few manatee in the wild and it's an awesome sight. You did a nice job of reflecting on the situation and using it as a lesson in your own life.
JANET JONES
05/13/21
I liked this a lot. For the most part the story flowed. It had a great message as well. My only red ink would be possibly shortening the facts paragraph a little. Good job. Keep writing
Bea Edwards 
05/14/21
Such an enjoyable read and a brilliant tying of the topic with a Truth.

Well done! I think you probably did really well, I haven't had a chance to see the winners yet...