Internal Supply
Day 1
Stay on track with Passion Equip
Create a profile or sign in to track your progress and access your bookmarked content.
We want to begin this study with a question: where do you get what you need? We don’t mean where do you stock up on household essentials, or what restaurants you may frequent, we mean: where does what sustain you really come from? Is it time spent with friends you love? The work you put your hands to in your office? The volunteer hours you serve? The long-hours of parenting? What fuels you?
And what do you do when it runs out?
When you find that the people you trusted most stopped calling?
When your work feels less fulfilling and more like, well, work?
When you are at a crossroads of your faith?
When you discover that nothing external, nothing of this world, can satisfy what you truly desire?
Today, we will look at a powerful metaphor that poses the same question. And as we dig deep into the truth of Jesus’ last words, we will uncover that the very source that will fuel and sustain us through life's challenges is found in Jesus alone.
Over these few days together, we will grow our friendship with and dependence on Him. Let’s get started.
Summary
Priscilla marks the beginning of our time together with the story of two ponds: one is able to maintain its proper depth despite a lack of rain, and the other dries out almost completely in a season of drought.
Two ponds, two outcomes. Why? We don’t have to look much further than where the water that fills them flows from.
When a pond has a spring to replenish its water from deep underground, it is able to maintain its depth through seasons of drought because the source of its life isn't dependent on external forces.
Jesus said it this way in John 15:5-8—
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
Pay attention to His words, lean in close as if He sharing them across the table from you:
“If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
Could it be that the supply of our lives was never meant to be a conglomerate of external forces: what we do, who we spend time with, where we go, what we have–but found in Jesus alone?
Let’s mark our time together with that question: what supplies your life? And where has it left you dry?
What's Next?
When you think about your own life, what type of pond would you compare your life to?
As you face times and areas of drought, of challenge or trial, do you find yourself rundown or feeling empty? Or is your pond still maintaining and able to serve a joyful and helpful life?
Scripture References