Sometimes all we need is a change of venue and scenery for us to see life and our circumstances in a different light. I loved the opportunity to visit out west a few summers back. My husband and I decided to drive a lot of back roads so we could see the sites and towns along the way. The highlights were, of course, the majestic Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, and the Petrified Forest.

But, there was something magical about the Rio Grande Gorge Recreation Area – Taos Valley Overlook. It felt like it was in the middle of nowhere and yet it just appeared. The sign that was in the parking lot said you could walk, bike, or horseback on the trails. We had no bikes or horses, so we walked. I was captivated by the sights I saw.

This one viewpoint represented so much:

1. The life of one tree vs. the death of another
2. The dryness of the sand vs. the life of green plants on the ground
3. The freedom of the mountains vs. the border of a fence

So many contrasts and I fell in love.

I tend to see life this way…half-empty or half-full.

I have a choice in every situation to see it as either a positive or a negative.

1. Trees=life or death
2. Dryness=death or no humidity
3. Green plants=something in my way or life
4. Freedom=stress or relaxation
5. Border=restriction or comfort

Do you realized we’ve all been placed in an arid and dry environment? We live in a society that chooses not to focus upon God due to our busy schedules. We blame the schedules and the things of this world.  Feel like you’re sinking and fighting for your life? It’s time to look at the picture again.

There are plants in this arid land that have thrived in the dry environment. They follow three simple plans of actions:

1. Succulence: they store water in their leaves, stems, and/or roots.
2. Drought tolerance: they shed leaves in order to transfer water to another part so the plant as a whole will not die and it goes into dormancy until it has enough water to grow.
3. Drought avoidance: The plants don’t grow in the summer months.

What can we learn from this?

1. We have to store the love of God in our hearts to prepare for the dry seasons.
2. There are times we must shed activities, people, hobbies, etc., in order to survive.
3. Realize we cannot grow where there is a lack of water. We must stay near the source, God.

“The desert environment may seem hostile, but this is purely an outsider’s viewpoint. Adaptations enable indigenous plants and animals not merely to survive here, but to thrive most of the time.” ¹

If you feel you’re fighting for your life today, realize God already set a plan in motion for us to follow. Let’s learn from His creation.

Next time, we’ll discuss our borders vs. freedom.

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Leave your comments on how you survive in the arid places.

© 2014 Susan M. Sims

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¹Dimmit, Mark. “How Plants Cope with the Desert Climate” sonorensis Volume 17, Number 1 (1997): n. pag. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Web. 27 Jun 2014.

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