Waiting for the Water

“Settling is the art of taking the easy way out. Sure, it will work. But you will never know what was truly in store for you if you had the courage to do what was right in your heart.” ~The Better Man Project

​One hot summer day, I took my psychotic beagle/hound/terrier puppy out for a walk around our neighborhood. We took our usual trek from our house to the beach, which was about a mile away. Moxy loves to swim, so I typically take her right up to the water so she can dive in. With a full coat of fur covered in dark splotches and bare paws on black pavement, Moxy can easily overheat on sweltering summer days. Thus, I looked forward to leading her to a place of deep refreshment and much-needed rest.

Only halfway through the walk, Moxy began to pant incessantly. I tried to speed up our walk so we could arrive at the beach quicker, but it was still a half-mile away. Her panting increased exponentially and she halted our efforts by laying down in the shade of a neighbor’s tree (a number of times, I might add). The lake was only a quarter mile away, but she took about a million detours in an attempt to find respite: eating grass to absorb its moisture and rolling around in recently-watered yards to cool off.

When we were finally within five minutes of the beach, we came across a large, dirty puddle about half a foot deep. I foolishly turned my attention away for a moment and, within seconds, Moxy took the opportunity to jump into the filthy water, much to my dismay. I attempted to yank her from the puddle, knowing the lake was just around the corner, yet her exhaustion and need for reprieve kept her in the nasty puddle. 

She had no idea that something cleaner and more reviving was only mere steps from where she stood. In her myopic view, she couldn’t possibly fathom something further ahead that would refresh even more.

Maybe, just maybe, we aren’t too different from Moxy. Many of us possess a deep, internal longing for something bigger and better, something that satisfies and refreshes. Yet, we’re unable to see beyond our current circumstances.

So, how are we to know that something greater is waiting for us?

With this question gnawing at our heels, we often settle for what’s right in front of us because we have no idea what God has in store, even if it’s just around the corner. In many ways, we’re like Moxy settling for the filthy puddle because we can’t fathom the reality of an expansive, glimmering, beautiful lake, though it is mere steps away. 

What we need to understand is that God longs to bring us there. He yearns to see us refreshed, refueled, satisfied. He longs to show us His vast love and goodness, and for us to experience it on a deep and personal level. 

If we linger in the momentary satisfaction of the filthy puddle, we will never experience the beauty of the lake that God has for us. Even if it’s not in sight and we’re panting, exhausted, and thirsty, we have to trust that God has something better out there waiting for us.

Wait, trust, and hold out for God’s plan. He has a shining, glimmering lake ready for you to dive into. He’s looking forward to seeing you deeply refreshed and revitalized. He’s not only looking forward to it—He’s planning on it. It may take a few more grueling, tiring steps to get there, but the wait will be well worth it.

---

Photocred: Wikimedia Commons