At the time of writing the temperature outside is 35C with 40% humidity and we have the infamous Bill the boxer staying with us over the weekend. Even getting up before 7am and taking him for a (short) walk was draining for us both. Fortunately I had the foresight to not only bring his bedding and other essentials when I picked him up, but also the homemade paddling pool – or hot tub as it is now known!
In this unseasonally hot weather, (climate change seems to be staring us in the face, if we had not already realised it), it is difficult to keep cool. Our house has all the curtains and windows closed – (to stop the flies, and the hot air getting in). We are fortunate enough to have fans running off electricity produced from solar power to cool the rooms at night. We have a permanent supply of fresh water to quench our thirst, and our garden has several shaded areas where we can sit away from the glare of the sun.
Jesus took time to cool off, to sit in the shady garden, and to pray. It was a time when the heat was on, the authorities were trying to come up with a way to arrest him and stop him for good. Jesus asked his disciples to stay away and keep watch – and they fell asleep, three times. Judas then gave the religious leaders a way to arrest Jesus.
Are there times in our lives when the heat is on, and we perhaps need to find shade and quiet, time and space, to bathe in the never ending and refreshing water the Jesus offers us?
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, you were abandoned by your disciples in your darkest time. Forgive us when we worry about our own comfort, rather than that of others. Forgive us when we put ourselves first instead of you. Thank you that we can cool off in the water of life that you offer us. Amen