Life Through the Lens: The half-empty water bag

This post is the author’s personal opinion.

The morning sun sat on the horizon as young Jim, the new stockman, eased into the seat of the old Land Rover.

It would be a long, hot day in the central Australian summer, checking stock in the back paddocks.

The old, grizzled, bandy-legged overseer walked past the vehicle.

Indicating the half-empty water bag on the bull bar, his call “better fill that from the tank, it’s gonna be a scorcher” was met with an off-hand “nah, she’ll be right”.

As the engine revved and wheels spun, the old stockman called out, “Did you check the spares?” but dust from the disappearing vehicle swallowed his words.

Later, the now very empty water bag was left hanging on a dead tree.

The setting sun turned the dust blood red as the young know-it-all visualised the station tank with more water than he could have drunk in a lifetime, and his shoulders slumped even further.

A single thought – “I wish I had listened and filled the bag” – did circuits in his aching head while he tried to work saliva into his parched mouth.

About lunchtime, with a second staked tyre, he discovered the backup spare – the one he should have checked – was also airless.

Breaking the first rule of bush travel, never leave your vehicle, he started walking towards the homestead, taking what he believed was a shortcut.

How often, when God holds out an offer to fill up, do we think we know better or even feel that he can’t deliver?

His words in the Bible tell us he can deliver, deliver more than we can imagine.

Check out Ephesians 3:20.

Sadly we often only focus on him supplying material things, possessions, money, power, status et cetera.

At the same time, he offers to provide so much more to enable life to be complete and enjoyable.

He gives his spirit, who brings the gifts of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Check out Galatians 5:22-23.

How do we get filled with these gifts of God’s spirit?

Trust him, talk to him, tell him you need your life filled with all he has to offer and be prepared to feel and see changes in your life.

It was not clever for Jim to leave the safety of his vehicle.

It is not wise to leave the safety of God’s love.

Cheers and God bless you as you enjoy being filled with all God wants to give you.

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