My finger pressed against the end of the hose. The water spray arched toward the sky. It reached and reached until it could reach no more, it glistens falling to the ground. All strength was spent.

But, the plants were watered.

Standing there, watering like my daily habit did, I suddenly realized…

 

I’m watering a dead tree. What on earth am I doing?!?

 

Working with some sort of watering autopilot, I watered away. I did it out of habit.

The water’s flow, however, wasn’t causing the tree to grow. It died a few weeks earlier. The energy spent was wasted, the water too.

Sometimes in life we water our own dead trees. It’s habit. We operate and react without thought – on autopilot.

 

It’s the way we’ve always done it.

It’s familiar.

 

We walk each day wearing the “same old, same old” garment called comfortable.

It’s easy.

And that’s our Christian life.

 

But who said the walk with Jesus would ever be easy?

 

And do the “same old, same old” flowing waters cause righteous things to grow? Maybe it’s like watering dead trees – where those familiar, flowing waters don’t solve a thing.

But God Almighty resurrects. And that’s where I want to be – in the land of His resurrection. I want to feel that power flowing as I live day to day – all the way to heaven.

 

Maybe you feel this way, too?

 

We desire to be changed by His glory, to trust His hand.

We long to walk where He calls, go with His all. We want to be in a land of living trees and living water.

 

I long to walk where He calls, go with His all. Click To Tweet

 

Recently, His Spirit nudged me to consider comfort. It’s a “dead tree”.

A couple of months ago a conversation with God arose. It went something like this:

God, why do I like comfort so much? Why do I get out of sorts when the plan doesn’t execute smoothly? Why don’t I trust You? 

And then I paused, somewhat afraid of the answer.

 

Are you ever afraid of God’s answer?

 

Do you ever wonder why you’re afraid to risk “more” with Him?

I do. I wonder why I’m afraid of His good and perfect will.

 

Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.   Rom. 12:2 WEB

 

The pause left me considering that my Savior would reach forth a hand and call me to deeper waters.

 

Flesh drowns in waters of God’s deep.

 

Flesh drowns in waters of God's deep. Click To Tweet

 

My selfish side, the one that makes plans and arrangements for life sans Jesus, screeches and claws at the thought of losing control. Maybe yours does, too?

But trust assures there’s something better than comfort – Jesus. And with His plan, what else compares?

 

Trust assures there's somethig better than comfort - Jesus. (John 14:1) Click To Tweet

 

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. John 14:1 NLT Click To Tweet

 

Shortly after my conversation with God, a book arrived in the mail. No, it’s probably best considered a ministry on pages, not simply a book. It was a call to go with Jesus – wherever.

Was I willing? It was pinpoint in its ask.

Would I put my hand in His and affirm that I’d trust and go, lay down comfort and grow?

I had to consider, but the words, ripe with Scripture and a call to dig deep, swept me to places of certainty.

 

Yes. Even without comfort, Jesus, I will follow.

 

Then I swallowed hard. (Flesh still claws.)

Jesus was leading me on the way to a place of living trees. It was time to stop watering the dead tree of comfort.

 

What if that question was posed to you?

 

If Jesus walked forth today and held out his calloused, carpenter’s hand, would you place yours in His and follow?

Would you whisper, “Whatever You want, Jesus. I will follow You,”?

I hope so. Jesus is worth it. You are too.

 

I'm whispering Whatever You want, Jesus. I will follow. You too? Click To Tweet

 

Action Step ~

This post didn’t generate as an advertisement for Come With Me by Suzie Eller. I can’t help but mention it, however. It’s the “book” mentioned earlier. It’s ministry in word action. And good news! There’s a study starting this week. It’s not too late to join. Go here for more information.

 

---

Are You Onboard?

Every Monday #ScriptureBank2016 posts. It’s scripture memorization help.
We supply the verses (2/month) and prayers or confessions (2/month), and you deposit them in your heart. It’s treasures of ammo for the battle. Never miss another verse. Sign up here.   

Linking with other Jesus writers here: Purposeful Faith, Testimony Tuesday, & 3-D Lessons for Life.