Sunday, August 10: Water

Everything will live where the river goes. (Ezekiel 47:9)

But those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life. (John 4:14)

Imagine all the ways water touches your life.  Rain falling down.  Clean water to drink or bathe in.  Lakes or rivers to enjoy.  Did you know that the human body contains about 60% water, and our brain cells are 85% water.  Water is a part of us.  We need water to live.  We use water daily. 

Did you know that 97% of the world’s water is located in the oceans and seas?  Which means only 3% is fresh, and 2/3 of that is not accessible.  Out of all the water on earth, only 1% is available to drink. 

It’s no wonder that our ancestors in the faith imagined rivers flowing from God. Genesis 2 speaks of four rivers that flow out from Eden to bring life to the world.  Ezekiel had a vision during the exile, of a river flowing from the temple to bring life and healing.  He is told that everything will live where the river flows.  At the end of the book of Revelation, John sees a river flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, filled with the water of life.  Jesus offers “living water” to the woman at the well.

What is living water?  Is it fresh, pure water that sustains our bodies? Is it the presence of Christ, reaching out to us and filling us with God’s Spirit?  Is it a hope for life and healing for all things?  Or is it all of the above?

Try This Sense Activity:

Pour yourself a glass of water. As you fill your cup, listen to the sound. Think about where the water came from. Close your eyes as you take a slow sip. Feel it in your mouth and throat. Take a moment to wonder what else, literally or spiritually, you may thirst for.  What is “living water” for you?

Spend some time in prayer wondering with the Spirit about living water.  Then give thanks for the many forms of water, around and within you.