Refreshment
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as[f] the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’
John 7:37-38 ESV
Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.
Ovid
Beware the barrenness of a busy life.
Socrates
This past January, some friends and I went on a dayhike in a desert area; I was really hoping to see some desert bighorn sheep, so I was pleased when we were driving out of the area and came across a large herd. After taking many photos, none that are close up because we didn’t want to spook the mamas with lambs, I went home and started reading about these amazing animals.
Desert bighorn can go without water for extended periods of time. In summer, they can go without water from 3 to 7 days while in winter, they can go without water for weeks! Their only moisture in the small amounts gleaned from the desert brush that they eat. These unusual animals can lose up to 30% of their body weight in fluid whereas most animals, including humans, can only lose 10-15%. When there IS water available, they can drink a huge amount of water at once to rehydrate, up to 20% of their body weight. That would be like a 150 pound human drinking almost 4 gallons of water at once and completely rehydrating.
Water is life, but we also call it refreshment. The word refreshment comes from French roots which initially meant mental or spiritual renewal, though later the term’s meaning expanded to also mean physical refreshment such as food or rest. Just as all animals, we humans need water/refreshment to survive. Spiritually, we need time with God. Jesus modeled that by often going off alone to be with the Father as we should too for our own spiritual health. In fact, in Scripture, Jesus offers the “living water” that nourishes our soul.
Mentally and emotionally, we all need to take days off to rest and relax. Giving our mind and heart a break from constant striving and overthinking! Sometimes, those are days of physically resting highlighted by having a period of inactivity, even fun outings. Sometimes, we refresh mentally and emotionally by spending time with loved ones or alone…sharing time doing something that we enjoy or reading a good book or doing something that brings us joy.
Yes, there are times, when we have to go rather long periods without refreshment, particularly in the working and parenting years, but when an opportunity presents itself to rest and refresh, we need to be like bighorn sheep with water! Take full advantage of that opportunity for renewal; don’t bunny trail down the idea of “oh, I could DO this with this open time”. Stop! Rest! Refresh yourself so you’ll be ready to get back to the business of life with enthusiasm and joy.
