High and Dry
Be appalled, O heavens, at this;
be shocked, be utterly desolate,
declares the Lord,
for my people have committed two evils:
they have forsaken me,
the fountain of living waters,
and hewed out cisterns for themselves,
broken cisterns that can hold no water.
Have you not brought this upon yourself
by forsaking the Lord your God,
when he led you in the way?
And now what do you gain by going to Egypt
to drink the waters of the Nile?
Or what do you gain by going to Assyria
to drink the waters of the Euphrates?
Your evil will chastise you,
and your apostasy will reprove you.
Know and see that it is evil and bitter
for you to forsake the Lord your God;
the fear of me is not in you,
declares the Lord God of hosts.
(Jeremiah 2:12-13, 17-19, ESV)
High on another success
high from achievement’s buzz
high on the mountain peak
high on what I’ve done
high on personal power
but left spiritually dry.
High and dry
soul parched and cracking
heart pants with thirst.
Where is the rain of grace?
Where does living water flow?
May mercy pour down
drench me again.
High on human love
high on another’s respect
high on fame’s power
high on the crowd’s applause
high when flattery is near
but left spiritually dry.
High and dry
soul parched and cracking
heart pants with thirst.
Where is the rain of grace?
Where does living water flow?
May mercy pour down
drench me again.
High on my righteous life
high on my moral strength
high on independent power
high on what I know
high on my own wisdom
but left spiritually dry.
High and dry
soul parched and cracking
heart pants with thirst.
Where is the rain of grace?
Where does living water flow?
May mercy pour down
drench me again.
High on ministry done
high on ministry’s acclaim
high on being the spokesman
high on being the voice
high when people want to follow
but left spiritually dry.
High and dry
soul parched and cracking
heart pants with thirst.
Where is the rain of grace?
Where does living water flow?
May mercy pour down
drench me again.
Drinking from broken cisterns
dipping into streams with no flow
deserts always leave you dry
pouring empty pitchers
will never satisfy
drinking but spiritually dry.
High and dry
soul parched and cracking
heart pants with thirst.
Where is the rain of grace?
Where does living water flow?
May mercy pour down
drench me again.
As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
(Psalm 42:1-2, ESV)
God bless,
Paul David Tripp
Reflection Questions
1. What have been some of the most exhilarating “highs” you experienced in life so far? Why do you think they were so thrilling? In what ways did they make you feel truly alive and complete, at least for a period? Be specific. Try to identify the root source of your enjoyment, not just the occasion.
2. How long did those highs last? Why might some have lasted longer than others? Were you surprised and/or disappointed by how quickly you came down from the high? How did you respond when the high subsided and reality hit again?
3. However long the high lasted, be it a few hours or a few years, why did they ultimately fail to satisfy you permanently? Are you currently seeking another high in that same area, even though a previous high failed to sustain you? What are you chasing after today?
4. How can you, within wise limits, enjoy aspects of a good gift from God that gives you a high, without relying on it for meaning, purpose, identity, or sustenance? Where might you need to eliminate something entirely from your life? How can you ask others to help protect you from a potential addictive pursuit?
5. How can you replace the pursuit of a high with spiritual disciplines and communing with God? Be specific. What steps must you implement to pursue Christ with the same intensity?