Jesus, Our Oasis

I love this translation of the famous words of Jesus in the book of Matthew:  “Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to me.  I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis.” (TPT, Matt 11:28). In most versions of the Bible, we read, “…and you will find rest for your souls.”   The word oasis is defined as “Something serving as a refuge, relief, or pleasant change from what is usual, annoying, difficult, etc.” 

I remember an image from some movie I saw in childhood in which a heat-scorched man, dying of thirst, sees an oasis in the distance.  He starts walking towards it, only to see it disappear as he draws near.  His hope for rescue was shattered. 

In Jesus, we have a continual, abiding-on-the-inside Oasis.  When we reach to him, he will not disappear like a desert mirage.  We can draw from his refreshing at any moment.   We can dip into this inner well to help us let go of our anxiety, stress and anger. 

The next thing Jesus says after the “oasis” line is, “Simply join your life with mine.  Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me.”   I am in a season of learning a deeper meaning of the word “rest.”  Only from a place of rest can we walk in unhindered dialogue with the Lord. 

The waters of our soul and spirit mix with his living water.  When we are weary, we are rejuvenated by his fountain of life within us.   He said that “rivers of living water would flow from our belly.” (John 7).  Let the river of life fill every part of your emotions, soul, mind and body!  Drink deeply.

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