Refreshed to Refresh

Christ refreshes us, so we are equipped to refresh others. His internal energy is not contingent on external circumstances. Like an old fashioned water wheel creates power by the constant flow of a creek or river, so our hearts are energized by our faith in Christ’s fountain of living water. Our appetite for Almighty God grows in intensity through our intimacy with Him. Temporary escapes are like soft drinks, there is a short-term satisfaction, but they only prolong the thirst cycle. But spiritual hydration from drinking in Jesus through prayer and worship, truly refreshes our heart.

Are you in need of the Lord’s refreshment? Who comes to mind that you can refresh? Single adults fearful of not getting married need refreshment. Senior adults fearful of dying need refreshment. Widows and widowers fearful of loneliness need refreshment. Divorcees need refreshment. Hard charging leaders need refreshment. Perhaps you ask a close confidant how you can be a refreshment to them. The Lord refreshes our hearts, so we can refresh other weary hearts.

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).

The benefit of being a refresher is its reciprocal nature. By God’s grace we unexpectedly receive refreshment, for this is the Lord’s cycle of refreshment. This principle of receiving back new energy is humbling and life giving. So, a man or woman who spends much of their waking hours investing in relationships, may one day find themselves on their backs. Illness or injury may strike them down, only to find their spirits lifted by friends. Emails fill their inbox, texts flood their phone, and calls flow in full of encouragement. If we refresh others we will be refreshed!

Furthermore, learn to enjoy reciprocal refreshment. Be a generous receiver, as well as a generous giver. What does it mean to be a generous receiver? We say thank you to the ones who refresh us and in our spirit we whisper a thank you to our heavenly Father for sending us His agent of encouragement. Most of all, our Savior’s living water wells up to eternal life for our souls. It’s not our proud, stoic independence that’s life giving. Instead, it’s our humble dependence on Jesus, whose life giving water flows from us. So, drink often: sip, swig or guzzle, but drink of Him!

“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the refreshment of Your living water in Christ.

Related Readings: Psalm 23:3, 68:9; Jeremiah 31:25; 1 Corinthians 16:18; Philemon 1:7, 20

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