THE DEW FACTOR

I have always associated dew with the three R’s- Refreshing, Renewing and Recharging.

While, towards evening, all foliage appears to droop, seemingly exhausted after a long day of work; in the morning, suddenly they appear refreshed and revitalized. Have you wondered why?

This happens due to the presence of the dew that falls gently on them during the night.

The appearance of dew is almost magical- We find it early in the morning sparkling like diamonds, tiny droplets of water, clinging onto the surfaces of leaves, flowers and grass.

There are many verses in the Bible about dew:
Job 29:19-20–For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water, whose branches are refreshed with the dew.

Psalm 110:3–Your vigour will be renewed each day like the morning dew.

Hosea 14:5–I will be to Israel like refreshing dew from heaven.

The comparison used here is very interesting and to appreciate that, we need to understand the process of formation of dew and why it is so important to plants.

Plants are very hardworking. The leaves of the plant are busy all day, preparing food for the entire plant. They use the water stored in their cells, carbon dioxide from the air and sunlight to prepare their food. Once the sun sets, they stop preparing food and their work for the day is complete.

It is the water stored in their cells, which help them to maintain their shape. Hence, when all the stored up water is used, they begin to lose their shape and wilt and droop.

That is the time they need to be refreshed and that is when the dew begins to play its part.

As the dew gently falls during the night, the leaves open up their pores, to soak in all the moisture, till they are completely filled and saturated. So when we look at the plants in the morning they appear rejuvenated and fresh…..however as the day progresses, the dew disappears.

Plants cannot store dew for the next day. They have to receive their quota daily…..

Why does the dew not form in the morning?? Or afternoon??

There are 2 conditions absolutely essential for formation of dew-

1.     The temperature of air should not be too high. The surrounding atmosphere should be cool.

2.     There should not be too much of air movement.

In other words, dew formation takes place only in a cool still place and that is why dew falls during the night or towards dawn.

Like the leaves, as we finish our daily chores, we begin to feel worn out and weary. And we need to be refreshed by heavenly dew. Just as the leaves wait quietly for the dew to fall on them and revive them daily, we too need to sit quietly someplace and allow the Holy Spirit to renew, refresh and recharge us daily.

That is a difficult task for most of us…. especially  nowadays, when we are busy rushing from deadline to deadline or from  one activity to another, with our hands flitting  over  our smartphones, our mind sifting  through a million random thoughts and earphones plugged tightly into our ears. In our busyness, we have lost our ability to just sit quietly someplace, not doing anything, enjoying a time of peace and rest. 

Spending quiet time with God, enjoying His presence daily, is much like receiving dew. He will give us the dew sufficient for that day, no more, no less. We cannot store the dew for the next day. We need to receive our quota daily.

Hence every day we should sit quietly at the Fathers feet, soaking in His presence through each and every fibre and pore of our body.

And when we are completely saturated, we will feel totally refreshed, well able tackle a new day with renewed vigour and strength that our Father gives us.

God bless you dear reader……….