Living water

Gloomy skies are now completely gone as the once heavy, dark rain clouds, that clung so close to the ground, have blown far away to the east. We need the rain and I do enjoy storms but I have been enjoying looking out my window these last few days and seeing everything growing so green, looking so healthy. It’s truly amazing how with just a little water and sunlight and the landscape begins to bloom as newly formed buds burst open. Every tall pine tree, directly outside my window where I’m standing, seems to be stretching all of its limbs in the warm sunlight. The trees seem to be pointing their needles toward the sky, yawning as if awakening from a long winter’s sleep.

We are very similar to these mighty conifers as they pull water from the air and soak up as much as they can through their roots. They surely thrive as the water and nutrients are absorbed and sent to the areas responsible for making needles and cones. Soon the cones will mature in the warmth of the sun, thrusting out newly formed seeds. These seeds will be launched into the air where, because of their unique shape, they  will helicopter away from the mature tree in hopes of finding a clear piece of un-shaded ground in which to sprout and grow into a sapling.

God has used this same analogy to describe the way our own spiritual health is maintained. People who are body-health conscience pay close attention to what they put into their stomach. Only the freshest raw, whole foods will suit their appetites and they are rewarded with good health because of their endeavor. The contrary is also true; we have all seen pictures from third world countries where children walk around starved with bloated bellies and others look like walking skeletons. When food is withheld, the body and mind seem to wither away like a newly sprouted seed that never covered with good soil. 

So in the desire to fatten you all up a bit with the refreshing Word of God, here is what the prophet Jeremiah wrote in 17:7-13   "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord.  For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.  The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?  I, the Lord, search the heart, test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings. As a partridge that broods but does not hatch, So is he who gets riches, but not by right; It will leave him in the midst of his days, And at his end he will be a fool. A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary. O Lord, the hope of Israel, All who forsake You shall be ashamed. Those who depart from Me Shall be written in the earth, Because they have forsaken the Lord, The fountain of living waters." 

Along this same flow, it’s interesting that Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well that she would thirst again if she drank from the water out of the well but, if she would drink from the “Living Waters” that Jesus offered her, she would never thirst again! It is true that we waste so much time and energy chasing after riches, fame and the latest and greatest when the real thing that matters has always been right in front of us all the time.

So much of our time is spent on useless folly. We spend a large percentage of our time either at work, in the gym or in pursuit of a selfish hobby but how much of our time is spent soaking up God’s word?  How much of our time is spent praying, meditating on God and His kingdom?  Good money is spent on the movies but how much of our money goes to supporting worthwhile projects in our community like a “Youth Center”, our local church or even a food bank? 

As we open the pages of God’s word it’s like planting our roots close to the shore of a mighty river and as we read we are washed clean through the water of the word.

 “I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star. And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”