The seeping water

Ever been to a beach with a child, making them a small kiddie pool by the water?

You labor to dig a deep hole near the incoming ocean waves, the water rushes in, and the hole is filled. For a few minutes, the pool is a masterpiece, a perfect oasis on the beach creating hours of joy for your child.

But, mysteriously, in seconds, the water is gone, seeping into the sand. And, left unattended for a few minutes, the hole is destroyed by the incoming waves. To enjoy the pool, you have to continually fill it with water and maintain the structure.  At some point, it isn’t worth it.

The continual seeping of water robs the joy of the pool.

Life is no different.

Maybe we start the year with great goals in mind, things we will accomplish that will revolutionize our life. By mid-year, when we turn and look back, the speed and challenge of life has caused the goals to become non-existent. The water seeps. This year is just like every other year.

Maybe we receive a wake up call, a health scare, an impactful message, or an answered prayer, and we have the blessing to start fresh. We suddenly have a clear vision of life. Pretty soon, the water seeps. Passion is lost, we return to where we were before the wakeup call.

We begin the week ready to go, conquer everything that is in front. By Friday, we are dragging into the weekend. The schedule, the battles, the speed, has caused the water to seep. We wake up Monday ready to repeat.

Maybe you finally get the job you dreamed of. The last one just wasn’t cutting it. For a while, the newness brings joy. You can’t believe you didn’t make the change sooner. But, the water seeps. After a year or two, you are mentally right back where you were at the old job. Time to refill the pool.

The continual need to refill the pool burns energy, hope, desire, and fulfillment. The seeping water destroys passion, excitement, and meaning. Life burnout may ensue. Time moves fast and moments are missed. Regret kicks in. Fulfillment never comes.

Ever feel like the water is continually seeping?

A human can only survive 3 to 7 days without water. Water is life. When the water seeps, passion, meaning, and fulfillment drain.

The idea of seeping water is something we all inevitably face on the journey of life. The speed of work and life can make it feel like we are continually refilling the pool. The full calendars, the endless challenges, the seasons of life all cause the water to seep.

The answer is in the pause of life. Pause life to reorient to perpetual water flow.

Turn the focus to your why. An understanding of why you are running the race can ignite your passion, reorient you toward your purpose. A well-constructed why gives meaning.

For me, daily meditation refills. God describes Himself as Living Water. Water that continually flows from within, constantly replenishing the soul. Water that is perpetually available. I have found this to be true, and I need it daily.

The tendency is to make ourselves continually busy, battling the silent seeping water without looking up.

The answer is in the pause. Know the source of the flow.

Impact others. Live generously.

Jeremiah 2:13