Water

Isaiah 58:11 "The Lord will always lead you. He will satisfy your needs in dry lands and give strength to your bones. You will be like a garden that has much water, like a spring that never runs dry." NCV

Twenty-five years ago, as a young mother surrounded by toddlers, I paused to make myself a cup of tea, and God blessed me. As I watched the steam rise from the kettle, a revelation about water was impressed on my heart and mind. It makes no difference if water is in its liquid form, an icy state, or an almost invisible misty vapor; there is no disputing the fact that it is water. Water is an essential element required by our bodies to sustain life and without it we will perish. Along with its life sustaining properties, it also performs a broad scope of functions in our world; scientific, agricultural, industrial, and personal. Water appears ordinary to the naked eye, resulting in its incredible qualities being easily overlooked, yet it holds the ability to transform and sustain life.

A drink of cold water will quench our thirst. It cools our skin when we are hot. We can harness its power to operate machinery or provide light in the darkness. We use water to wash with and play in. It can be salty or fresh. Time spent by a tranquil lake soothes the weary soul; while raging rivers energize the spirit. Water not only covers over 70% of our planet, but it makes up approximately 60% of our body weight. Water is an element vital for our existence, with its presence or absence resulting in either life or death; a universal truth for all mankind. Thankfully, it can also be infused and transformed into a comforting cup of tea to sip on during harried days, visits with friends, or quiet times spent in contemplation.

God beautifully called Himself the *Living Water* - once again using a common universal resource from our daily lives - water - as the image to help us visualize Him as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all in one; knowing that we would understand this concept. It should come as no surprise to us that *Living water* and water share an abundance of similarities and applications in our lives.

It makes no difference if we call on God the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit; God is God and He hears our prayers. Scripture tells us that the *living water*/ Holy Spirit will be given as a Helper to all who believe; an essential spiritual element in the life of the believer. The *living water* gives us power, courage, boldness, confidence, insight, ability, authority, and more.*Living water* transforms us into the likeness of God from the inside out; just as the hot kettle water transformed the dry leaves into a refreshing cup of tea for me. The presence or absence of the *living water* in one's life, determines our eternal life or death. Jesus appeared as an ordinary man to the naked eye, and His heavenly qualities were overlooked by many; yet He also embodied an incredible gift that could transform and sustain life. Jesus Himself instructed us to choose life by drinking deeply from the *living water*; and then He gave us the freedom to make our own choice. We have been offered a drink of water guaranteed to quench our thirst. Drink freely, and enjoy all benefits supplied by the *living water*. Praise God!

John 4:10 "Jesus replied, "If only you knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water."" NLT

John 4:15 "The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water." ESV

Prayer: Almighty God, Creator of the heavens and the earth. We thank You for water and all of the benefits and pleasures it provides us. Thank You for sacrificing Your Son on our behalf and leaving us with Your *Living Water*, to comfort and guide us from within. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.

Marci Maxwell

London, Ontario, Canada