Streams in the Desert of Life
One day, while counseling a young professional, the conversation shifted to some advice her father had given her before she immigrated to America from Africa. Her current resume included owning a startup cosmetics business, contracts with three agencies as a fashion model, and being featured in several national chain television infomercials. She had just obtained her commercial real estate license, and planned to open and staff an office in West Houston. Each week, this remarkable entrepreneur voluntarily visits children that are being treated for cancer in local hospitals.
Still single, and not yet 30 years of age, she seemed to have her life all together. I asked her why she did so much, and that’s when she referred back to her Dad’s advice. He told her that when she got to the States, don’t just get a job. Instead, carefully develop seven streams of income that can sustain you when just one job may fail.
She then explained that she had already noticed that each “stream” she had created, had its’ ebb and flow with success. So, when one “stream” was weak, the other “streams” saw her through.
After she left, I took some time to think and pray about our visit. Her vision and enthusiasm far outweighed any issues she worried about. She loved Christ and was committed to a Godly life. He would lead her and guide her, and will see her through her “desert” experiences of life. She impacted my life far more that any counsel I provided her.
The word “streams” reminded me of an inspirational book by Mrs. Charles Cowman titled, “Streams in the Desert.” This classic devotional has blessed and refreshed readers since it was first published in 1925. Each day, it features Scriptures of encouragement and thoughts of motivation. The author took her title from Isaiah 35:6 KJV, “Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.”
Did you notice that the word “streams” is plural? Life is a journey. As you trod through the difficult times in life, God provides many life-giving streams at just the right time to refresh and recharge your walk. These streams provide fruitfulness, advantage, and joy. God has strategically placed these streams in your journey to be sure that you make the trip successfully. So, don’t stop, or you may miss out on the next stream of provision God has planned for you.
Why not take a moment right now to remember how marvelously God has provided streams in the desert for you? Sometimes God brought streams out of rocks (Psalm 78:16). Those were the challenging times you would not have chosen, but God turned them into blessings.
Other times, He planted you for a season by streams of refreshing water (Psalm 1:3). Or, you may have been forced into a land of barrenness, and even paused at dried-up streams (2 Samuel 22:5). But finally, He brought you into a good land, a land with streams of water, springs, and deepwater sources, flowing in both valleys and hills (Deuteronomy 8:7). God is so good.
Truly, the best stream of all is found in Jesus. Remember His hopeful words in John 7:37, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” Choose to drink deeply as you live in this moment.