WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE WELL WATERED?

“The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.” – Isaiah 58:11.

Florida is commonly characterized by periods of both rain and sunshine. Sometimes the rain makes a quick entrance and exit, while at other times it lasts for hours. Sometimes it doesn’t rain for several days. When that happens, the lush green spaces, including lawns and gardens, will begin to turn brown and show signs of wilting due to a lack of water, and lakes, ponds, and even canals will have noticeably lower water levels. It is a welcome sight when it begins to rain.

Just as all living things need water, so our spiritual life must be nourished with the water of life. Fortunately, God provides that water. Experienced gardeners know the adequate amount of water to supply each plant within their care. They won’t allow their plants to dry out, but will have a well-watered garden.

A “well-watered garden” is when His people are consistently nourished by God’s grace, guidance, and love. This imagery, drawn from scriptures like Isaiah 58:11, reminds us that just as a garden thrives with consistent watering, so too can our lives blossom when we actively seek God’s presence and allow His word to penetrate our hearts.

A well-watered garden is not just about survival; it’s about abundant growth and beauty. The imagery of a spring whose waters never fail assures that God’s love and grace are constant and reliable.

Have you ever thought of your life as a garden? Probably not, but if you did, you would want to be a well-watered one. But it doesn’t matter how green your thumb is for this life; we can never be well-watered apart from the Lord. We need the Lord to supply us with living water. Only then can we become a spring of life.

A well-watered life doesn’t happen overnight. It starts with planting a small seed. It takes time for the seed to grow, become deeply rooted, and produce fruit. Following Jesus is a lifelong journey, not something to be marked off a checklist.

To thrive and survive, plants require every season—spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Each season has a purpose in the grand scheme, and without the other seasons, we wouldn’t be able to appreciate the growth that comes in springtime. The same is true for our spiritual lives. If we want to grow and flourish in our walk with Christ, we have to walk through seasons of heat, rain, loss, and dormancy. Spring calls us to wake up, but winter reminds us to slow down. Summer calls us to work hard, but autumn reminds us to enjoy the harvest.

Through every season of life, we can live the well-watered life because of the Cross.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does “well-watered life” mean to you, personally?
2. How do you currently “water” your life (e.g., through relationships, hobbies, faith)?
3. What are some common “droughts” or challenges that hinder your ability to feel well-watered?