Streams of Living Water
The phrase "streams of living water" specifically came to mind. Not sure why but I initially was thinking on the lines of "streams of living water can still flow out of desert places..." Amid a global pandemic, there is still much uncertainty, instability and in some ways, some things and areas are on pause and have dwindled. But yet I am believing even still, in the face of all that's going on, streams of living water still can burst forth! Jesus himself is the Stream of Living Water and he is very much alive! He can, he is able and he still brings, creates, redirects, reroutes streams of living water wherever he pleases, even to the driest of places. So take heart and be encouraged. Consider this time as an opportunity to reflect and be honest with yourself and God. If there is any area in your life that feels dead, dry or maybe you are experiencing a desert season spiritually or feeling exhausted and depleted, come to the living water. Invite Jesus into that dry place and believe he can bring refreshment.
Then I thought of the passage of the Samaritan woman at the well. Perhaps this is a rabbit trail but I found it noteworthy, her response to Jesus when He asked for a drink of water. Her response sounds practical, obvious, innocent or even simple minded. However, I think Jesus curated that moment for that very conversation to teach us something about our own thinking and tendencies we need to overcome - our bent towards self-sufficiency and boxing God into our limited frame of understanding and realm of experience. The woman responds, "... you don't even have a bucket, and the well is deep." And then Jesus responds lovingly, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you..."
The essence of the Christian faith is this - Jesus is the Source. He is the Living Water. He himself is Provision so we don't need our "own bucket." We exchange all of us, for all of him. He will give us what we need. Our bucket could never contain what God has in store for us. Also, Jesus is our “bucket.” So he beckons us to simply come. Surrender, empty ourselves of us, exchange our life for his. He's teaching us to adjust our thinking, removing any limitations we have placed on God to only operate in one way, or to do a thing this particular way. He wants us to live with an open heart, mind and hands. We like prescriptive, set methods but Jesus invites us into freedom and a relationship.
Jesus, give us the courage to live each day surrendered to you. Open our eyes and minds to discern the areas where we have placed limitations on you. Show us areas in our lives and heart that we are living a part from you - in self sufficiency and help us to release those things to you. Help us to position ourselves to receive the full measure of the gift you have in stored for each of us...
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water. "Sir,” said the woman, “you don’t even have a bucket, and the well is deep. So where do you get this ‘living water’? You aren’t greater than our father Jacob, are you? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and livestock.”Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks from this water will get thirsty again. But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up in him for eternal life.” John 4:10-13
Then I thought of the passage of the Samaritan woman at the well. Perhaps this is a rabbit trail but I found it noteworthy, her response to Jesus when He asked for a drink of water. Her response sounds practical, obvious, innocent or even simple minded. However, I think Jesus curated that moment for that very conversation to teach us something about our own thinking and tendencies we need to overcome - our bent towards self-sufficiency and boxing God into our limited frame of understanding and realm of experience. The woman responds, "... you don't even have a bucket, and the well is deep." And then Jesus responds lovingly, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you..."
The essence of the Christian faith is this - Jesus is the Source. He is the Living Water. He himself is Provision so we don't need our "own bucket." We exchange all of us, for all of him. He will give us what we need. Our bucket could never contain what God has in store for us. Also, Jesus is our “bucket.” So he beckons us to simply come. Surrender, empty ourselves of us, exchange our life for his. He's teaching us to adjust our thinking, removing any limitations we have placed on God to only operate in one way, or to do a thing this particular way. He wants us to live with an open heart, mind and hands. We like prescriptive, set methods but Jesus invites us into freedom and a relationship.
Jesus, give us the courage to live each day surrendered to you. Open our eyes and minds to discern the areas where we have placed limitations on you. Show us areas in our lives and heart that we are living a part from you - in self sufficiency and help us to release those things to you. Help us to position ourselves to receive the full measure of the gift you have in stored for each of us...
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water. "Sir,” said the woman, “you don’t even have a bucket, and the well is deep. So where do you get this ‘living water’? You aren’t greater than our father Jacob, are you? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and livestock.”Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks from this water will get thirsty again. But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up in him for eternal life.” John 4:10-13
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