“But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14

Have you ever flown and been surprised by how everyone tunes out the stewardesses as they go over the safety features to follow in the event of a crash? They direct you to the safety cards located on the backs of the seats, but no one pulls them out. No one even looks at the stewardess giving the demonstration. Everyone just continues to talk or look down at their electronic devices with their thumbs flying in the breeze. Stewardess A nonchalantly continues to read through her monotone monologue while Stewardess B routinely does her daily aerobic arm exercises using the life vest as her prop.

Sadly, I admit that sometimes I’m looking at my phone too. One thing I do remember is that you always put on your own oxygen mask before trying to help anyone else. You have to help yourself before you can help anyone else.

In Luke 10:27, we are directed to “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”  In this scripture, we hear the “Love your God” part and the “Love your neighbor” part, but what about “as yourself”? If that part is understood, why don’t we act like we understand it?

I am trying to do better in caring for myself since I was diagnosed with cancer five years ago. Infection was once the leading cause of life-threatening illnesses, now it is stress. I am pretty confident that stress was a factor in my cancer. Too many times in my life, I have given to others from a well that was dry, leaving me drained and empty.

In May of 2002, I suffered an emotional breakdown where even the mud in the bottom of my well was rock-hard clay.  When you’re at the bottom, one thing is for sure, there is only one way to go—up. And the only One who can fill your empty well again is Jesus.

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Everything we are, everything we do, and everything we give springs from our hearts. Our behavior, our attitudes, our words, our character and personality flow from our hearts. We are what comes out of our mouths. So we need to protect our hearts to keep them from becoming dry and empty, bitter and stagnant, poisoned and polluted. This is not just for ourselves, but because it impacts those around us, our loved ones.

What I have learned is that everything that we have to offer to the Lord and to others comes from Him anyway. Jesus died for our sins so that we may receive his precious gift of eternal life. My well has to be filled with His living water to create my wellspring. I can only give my best, when I have the Best inside me to give.

When we are on zero, what we are really needing is healing, comfort, forgiveness, mercy and grace from God. There is no substitute.

Here are a few ideas for opening your wellspring to let God refill it. It’s the perfect time of the year for some of these.

1. Enjoy a sunset or sunrise. Do more than just get your mind off your troubles. Bask in the light of the love of God’s Son (For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.). Give Him your worries (Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7).
2. Visit the ocean or the lake. Sit and look out over the water, and let Him wash away your sins and burdens into the depths of the water. (You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:19)
3. Watch the birds and hear them sing, knowing that if He cares for them He will care for you. (Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26)
4. Take a drive to the mountains. Spend time breathing in the fresh air of God and breathing out self. With gratitude, take in His majesty. (I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2)
5. If gardening is your thing, go stick your hands in the dirt. There is no better therapy. Plant things and watch God grow them. Experience His love through life-giving renewal and provision. (Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” Genesis 1:29)
6. Look up. Whether you’re watching big, puffy clouds float by, a clear blue sky, a storm blowing in, a billion twinkling stars, or a full orange moon, they are all part of the handiwork of the Creator who loves you more than the Universe He created. (The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1)
7. As a child of God, we all have gifts. Maybe yours is singing or playing an instrument. Maybe you can draw or write. Maybe your gift is encouraging others who are less fortunate. Maybe it is being a good listener. Whatever your gift is, it will bring you great joy when you use it for the glory of God. (A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great. Proverbs 18:16)

Dear Lord: Without You, our hearts are drained and empty, and we have little to give. Help us to be still and receive Your love that helps us, in return, to love You back, to love others, and to love ourselves. Thank You that You are the Living Water and only You can fill our wellsprings to overflowing and bring unspeakable joy into our lives. Amen