Finding and feeling constant joy seems nearly impossible sometimes. This morning I realized I was struggling with that very thing. Over the last few weeks, I’ve felt the burden of busyness and while outwardly, I may have seemed to have it all together- I felt dry within. Between planning a massive ministry event at work, maintaining daily household responsibilities, and not letting my own children fall between the cracks of my stress, I was barely staying afloat. At times it felt like I was gasping for air, while treading like a toddler in the deep end of a pool. And candidly, I have really had a hard time getting out of this funk. Then truth smacked me across the face this morning and the sting shook me out of the walking daze I’ve been in. 

In the busyness of the tasks, I had neglected to spend ample time with God. I allowed myself to pour out from my well until it had run dry. I scraped the bottom of my soul until there was nothing left to give. I didn’t take enough time to refill and refresh myself from a source outside of myself-the true Source that had (and continues to have) the ability to sustain me. The result of this neglect? Feeling fruitless, alone, and unseen.

Today, God in his goodness, reminded me of Psalm 1. In verse three, for the one who loves God, “he is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither.” Like every plant, trees must be nourished with water. Trees not fed by water will dry up. What is this life-giving water? The Word of God. It must be mediated on day and night according to verse two. It must be daily and habitual.

Fruit will only be produced from a habit of walking with the Lord through his Word. God reveals himself through the holy scriptures and those alone are our source of life- daily bread to fill our souls and living water replenish our thirst. Famine and drought in our soul is a dangerous thing and if not addressed will result in destruction. But today, I will stand taller and walk more steady because God has brought relief to my season of dehydration. He never left me, He sought me, He called me back. He’s been waiting for me all this time to realize what I had been missing. What I was missing was Him.