Monday, March 16

“Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 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: 13B-14

It doesn’t matter what time of day I arrive at the coast, I go to the water. Each trip brings this ritual. After arriving and unloading the car, I make my journey down to the water’s edge and just stand there. There’s something about gazing over the water, watching it move, seeing the fish and animals, the plants and sea grasses bending in the wind that speaks to my soul. Even in the depths of winter, the ritual revives me.

When I think about Jesus being living water, this ritual comes into focus. Jesus ebbs and flows with all the tides that come our way. Jesus navigates when the white caps form or the mirrored surface calms. Jesus as the living water, with all of its creatures and plants, is an image I can identify with no matter what happens in life.   

Where do you need living water in your life?  Where is the wind whipping up white caps, and where is the still calm ocean of your soul? Where do you need to experience the jumping fish and the swimming turtle or the lily pad or golden marsh grasses? If you can find the places, these places where Christ is needed most, you will find the eternal water already there moving in and out with the tides of your life.

No matter what’s going on, do what you need to do: head down to the water. Stand there and take it all in, let Christ be with you. Sometimes, it really is that simple.

Living water, you love and care for me no matter what happens. Help me to see you, to experience you and to know you so that in all I do I may grow more and more into your child. Amen.