This is a 3 part series stemming from an interview I did with author Hilda Muluh, author of “The Girl with Special Shoes: Miracles Don’t Always Look Like You’d Expect.” Hilda is almost completely disabled in a wheelchair due to muscular dystrophy.
Imagine yourself on a journey across a vast, unforgiving desert when your car suddenly breaks down. Forced to continue on foot, you’ve been walking for days, your skin burnt and blistered, lips cracked and bleeding. Every breath feels like inhaling fire, and your throat feels like it’s filled with sand. Worse yet, you’ve lost your compass and, with it, your sense of direction.
Then, through the shimmering heat, you see it—a distant oasis. Relief floods your body, and you summon all your remaining strength to move faster. It promises water, shade, food, and above all—life. You think you’ve found salvation, a treasure.
But as you draw closer, something shifts. No matter how fast you walk, the oasis remains just out of reach. Slowly, the terrible truth dawns on you: the oasis is nothing but a mirage. It looked so real, so attainable, yet when you reach out, your hands grasp only empty air.
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Are You Chasing Mirages or Finding the Treasure That Lasts?
Life often feels like this desert trek, a desperate pursuit of treasures we believe will make us whole—healing, success, love, recognition, or comfort. These promises shimmer on the horizon, tempting us with the idea that if we could just reach them, we would finally be satisfied.
But these treasures, like the mirage, are illusions. They may glitter from afar, but once in our hands, we realize they cannot quench the thirst of our souls. Many people spend their entire lives chasing one mirage after another, never realizing the futility of their search.
Sometimes, though, God intervenes. In the heat of our pursuit, He allows the mirage to disappear, not to leave us desolate but to guide us to the real treasure—the one we had overlooked in our striving.
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The Real Treasure Is the Living Water Your Soul Thirsts For.
What Hilda found in her darkest moment is what we all seek in our own desert journeys—something that will truly quench our thirst, something that offers life, hope, and fulfillment.
Like so many of us, Hilda had once believed that her healing—the restoration of her body—would be her ultimate treasure. But that was a mirage that faded in the heat of her suffering, and she stumbled upon something far greater: the living water of Jesus.
Her body remained broken, but her spirit came alive. She found the oasis that cannot be seen with the eyes but can only be experienced in the soul—the presence of Christ, the river of living water flowing within her.
In the midst of your own desert, when the thirst for more—more success, more love, more healing—drives you to chase one mirage after another, stop and listen. Jesus is calling you to the real oasis, the place where your soul can finally be at rest. This is the treasure that endures. It is not found in what you gain in this life but in who you walk with through it.
“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, rivers of living water will flow from within them. - ” John 7:37-38
The desert may still surround you, but the living water that Christ offers is within you. This is the greater treasure. This is real life—the kind that does not fade, that does not run dry, and that cannot be lost.
‘I desperately wanted healing," Hilda told me softly, but what I found was Jesus. Only give me Jesus. The rest of the world can fade away.’
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How Does Scripture Reveal Jesus as Our Ultimate Treasure?
Key Scripture
“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:37-38
Scriptures for Further Study:
- Philippians 3:7-8*: "I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."
- Matthew 13:44*: "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."
- Psalm 73:25-26 (NIV): “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NLT) 16That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits aree being renewed every day. 17For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
- Isaiah 55:1-2 (NIV): “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! ... Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.”
- Romans 8:10-11 (NIV): “But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”
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What Does it Mean to Live with Jesus as Our Ultimate Treasure?
1. Examine & Rank Your Treasures
Take a moment to reflect on the treasures you are chasing or have already attained in your life. These could be relationships, success, financial security, physical healing, recognition, husband, wife, or even your kids! Anything that you feel will make you complete or bring you great joy. List them out honestly before God.
Now, put these treasures up against Jesus one by one. If you had to choose only one—Jesus or each treasure—which would hold the number one spot in your heart? If Jesus isn’t at the top, then this other treasure has become an idol.
Remember, the nature of life is such that Jesus won’t stay in the number one spot all the time. We are constantly tempted to let other things take His place. That’s why it’s so important to regularly examine your heart and make a conscious effort to put Jesus back at the top of the heap.
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2. How Do We Receive the Holy Spirit?
For many believers, attending church and trying to live righteously can feel like a struggle without real power or transformation. That power comes from the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised to all who follow Him (*Acts 1:8*). His Spirit is the living water He promised!
The Holy Spirit isn’t something we earn but a gift to be received by faith. Here's a practical exercise to help Christians experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Step 1: Understand the Promise of the Holy Spirit
Scripture Foundation: Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to His followers in *John 14:16-17*, saying, *“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.”* The Holy Spirit is God’s presence in you, not earned but freely given.
Action: Spend time reading *Acts 2:1-4* (the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost) and *Luke 11:13* (Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to those who ask). Reflect on the fact that the Holy Spirit is available to you.
Step 2: Ask to Receive the Holy Spirit
Scripture Foundation: *Luke 11:13* says, *“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”*
Action: Pray a simple, honest prayer asking God to fill you with His Holy Spirit. You can say something like:
*“Father, I thank You for Your promise of the Holy Spirit. I confess that I cannot live this Christian life on my own. I need Your power and presence. I ask You now to fill me with the Holy Spirit that I may walk in Your power and experience Your living water.”*
Reflection: Take a moment in quiet to receive by faith. The Holy Spirit is received by faith, not by feelings or an emotional experience. Simply believe that God has given you His Spirit.
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3. 4 Steps to Live in Step with the Holy Spirit
Receiving the Holy Spirit is just the beginning. The Spirit empowers us daily to live victoriously, producing fruit in our lives and guiding us in truth. Here’s how you can practically live by the Holy Spirit:
Step 1: Stay Connected to the Source
Scripture Foundation: *John 15:4-5* teaches that Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. To live by the Spirit, we must remain in constant connection with Christ, the source of our strength.
Action: Start your day by inviting the Holy Spirit into every part of your life. You might pray: *“Holy Spirit, I invite You into my decisions, my interactions, and my thoughts today. Guide me in Your truth and empower me to walk in Your ways.”*
Reflection: Throughout the day, take small moments to check in with God. It could be as simple as saying, *“Thank You, Holy Spirit, for being with me,”* or asking for wisdom in a situation.
Step 2: Feed the Spirit and Starve the Flesh
Scripture Foundation: *Galatians 5:16-17* says, *“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”* To live by the Spirit, we need to continually "feed" our spiritual nature through prayer, reading the Word, and surrendering to God’s will.
Action: Set aside time daily for Scripture reading and prayer. Reflect on passages like *Romans 8:9-14* and *Galatians 5:22-23* that describe the fruit of the Spirit. Ask God to cultivate these fruits in your life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Practical Tip: Write down an area where you struggle to live by the Spirit. Each day, consciously surrender that area to God and ask the Holy Spirit to help you overcome it.
Step 3: Follow the Spirit’s Promptings
Scripture Foundation: *Romans 8:14* says, *“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”* The Holy Spirit will guide you in your decisions, convict you of sin, and empower you to do things that are beyond your own strength.
Action: Practice listening for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Before making decisions—big or small—pause to ask for direction. You might pray: *“Holy Spirit, guide me. Lead me in the way I should go. Help me to hear Your voice.”*
Reflection: Pay attention to moments when you feel a nudge toward compassion, patience, or a certain action. These are often the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Step 4: Surrender Control Daily
Scripture Foundation: *Galatians 2:20* says, *“I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”* Living by the Holy Spirit means daily surrendering control to God and allowing His power to flow through you.
Action: Each morning, declare your surrender to God. You might say: *“Holy Spirit, I give You control of my thoughts, my actions, and my words today. Empower me to live in a way that glorifies Jesus.”*
Reflection: Notice how surrender leads to peace as you let go of control and allow the Holy Spirit to lead.
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Finding True Fulfillment in the Living Water of Christ
1. The Mirage of Worldly Pursuits: Life often feels like a desert journey, where we chase after treasures such as success, love, comfort, or healing, believing they will complete us. However, these are mirages—temporary illusions that cannot truly satisfy our souls.
2. God’s Intervention in Our Desperation: In moments of deep suffering or desperation, when the mirage disappears, God often intervenes to reveal a greater treasure. The fading of these false hopes is not a punishment but an opportunity to discover Jesus as the true source of life.
3. The Living Water of Christ: Like Hilda, who sought healing but found something much greater, true fulfillment comes when we encounter the "living water" that Jesus offers. His presence fills the soul in a way that nothing in this world can.
4. The Greater Treasure is Jesus: The ultimate treasure is not found in what we achieve or gain in this life but in Christ Himself. His living water satisfies the deepest longings of our hearts, offering eternal life and peace that endures beyond all temporary circumstances.
Click here for Part 1: Embracing God's Presence in the Pain of Suffering
Click here for Part 2: Finding Triumph through Life’s Toughest Trials
Click here for Part 3: The Powerful Purpose Behind Your Pain
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He has testified before the U.S. Congress on persecution and has been interviewed or quoted by most of the world’s top media outlets, including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the BBC.
He is a three-time author, and his podcast is Faith Under Fire, where he helps Christians deepen and defend their faith.
Jeff is available as a guest speaker.
To learn more, go to the Jeff King Blog.
Originally published Sunday, 10 November 2024.