where waves grow sweet

Anchored for a purpose

I know oil drills are set up in all sorts of places, but what usually comes to mind is a big, ugly piece of machinery bobbing relentlessly on a big, ugly piece of dirt… like some prehistoric creature sentenced to the drudgery of probing the dry ground until the end of time.

Here’s the thing. The equipment isn’t designed for beauty, but for purpose. And the location isn’t chosen for its landscape, but for the value of what lies beneath. The drill will indeed probe that crusty ground. But rather than mindlessly rocking until the end of time, its intentional movement will last only until every last drop of precious oil is extracted.

A friend of mine was a successful business man for many years, complete with a wife, kids, and every physical need met. He is now separated from his wife, living in someone else’s home, and barely able to support his children. If he were shopping around for a place to settle, this would definitely not be it. In fact, he has questioned God’s goodness as he surveys his humble surroundings and barren landscape. But, being anchored here for the time being and with such meager provisions above ground, he is being forced to look below where, according to God’s great delight, he is finding the liquid gold that was hiding there all along. As he presses in and draws it up, he is becoming a very rich man.

Like Joseph, this wealth gained during the process will not be just for his benefit. It will be for the saving of many. He will have a bounty of truth, surety, and joy to share with others. He will be able to teach them how to drill down deep in their own lives to find invaluable treasure, which they would never have found in more fruitful times. Because sometimes what looks like a wasteland is actually a liquid goldmine.