As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting .... Psalm 103:15-17a

From what the weather-folk are saying, "When it comes to rainfall this year, it is either feast or famine." Each weather excess produces its own set of problems.

Those who have had watering restrictions imposed by their communities are finding their beautiful, green lawns are among the first victims of the drought. Many folks almost go into a state of mourning as they see their grass turn brown, wither and die.

Thankfully, all is not lost. We human beings, a resourceful lot, have come up with a plan to deal with the drought-caused devastation of our lawns.

And what is this plan?

Paint. Yup, paint. There are all kinds of companies who will, for a small fee, come in and paint your grass a beautiful, looks-like-it-just-got-rained-on green. Many residents who have followed this course of action are pleased to find their grass is the envy of all. Business owners find they get increased traffic as people are drawn to the healthy-looking green in the front of their stores.

There's only one small problem: you can apply as many coats of paint as you wish, but the grass underneath is still dead (or dormant).

That's kind of sad, isn't it? It's sad when it comes to a lawn; it's tragic when it comes to people.

The truth is there are a lot of people out there. Some of them may be your friends, family or neighbors, who are working very hard to give the appearance of being alive, but who, down deep in their hearts, are deader than doornails.

They may have every luxury money can buy; they may have every perk humanity can imagine, every plastic surgery a cosmetic surgeon can come up with, but they are withered and dead inside. The weight of their sin has created a drought on their soul, which they can try to disguise, but can never eliminate -- not, at least, on their own.

Thankfully, it is possible for them to be revived, restored and rescued. All they need is Jesus, the Water of Life. Just as water can make a desert bloom, Jesus has the ability to bring peace, beauty, joy, forgiveness and eternal life to a sin-saddened soul. Amazingly, this wonderful, restoring Water of Life is both free and abundant.

The Water of Life is the greatest gift we have received from the Heavenly Father. Made possible through His Son's sacrifice and available by the workings of the Holy Spirit, it can transform the withered soul and make it live.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, sin has withered our souls. On our own, and by ourselves, there is no hope. May I give thanks that I am not on my own. I have a Savior who has done all that was necessary to rescue me. May others also see the wonderful things that happen when a person is blessed by the living Water of Life. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 116-118    1 Thessalonians 4

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