Living Water
Water to live–and Living Water–we need both.
Water is essential for life. Humans and all of nature depend on water to live. And, when we don’t have water, we suffer.
We’re in the midst of a severe drought and heat wave. To keep my flowers alive, I must water regularly, sometimes daily, when temperatures soar near triple digits.
Hydrangeas suffer terribly in the heat. The plant pictured above is thirsty and sad, communicating desperate need of water. Hydrangeas wilt.
But hydrangeas flourish when they have adequate water. The leaves stand proudly, not minding the intense heat.
This is the same hydrangea the following day after I gifted it with a large dose of water.
Do you ever wilt? Working outside during this heat wave definitely makes me hot, tired, and wilted. But sometimes we may wilt when we’re overwhelmed with a too-long to-do list, a crisis, or when darkness sneaks into our lives and banishes the light of happiness.
And what about when sin separates from our Lord? The Apostle Paul reminds us:
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
Where is our hope?
Paul has the answer for that question, too.
(We) are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24)
Our hope is in Jesus–the provider of Living Water.
Just as my hydrangeas need water to recover from the burden of heat and drought, we need Living Water to recover our relationship with our Lord when stress, crisis, and sin bring darkness to our lives.
Jesus explained the need for living water when He spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well. The woman questioned why He, a Jew would ask a Samaritan woman for a drink since Jews do not associate with Samaritans. Jesus answered:
“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.” (John 4:10)
But the woman did not understand what Jesus meant. “Where can you get this living water?” she asked. (John 4:11)
Where do we find living water?
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them, will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13)
This new information confused the woman, yet she believed. Furthermore, she spread the word of the man who told her about Living Water, and others also believed.
The Samaritan woman believed
Unlike the Samaritan woman, we have the benefit of knowing Jesus gifted us with eternal life by sacrificing His life on the cross to pay the debt of our sin.
We have received Living Water as a gift of love, a promise that our sins are forgiven, and the assurance of eternal life with our Lord.
My flowers live and flourish because I water them through the hard times.
We live and flourish here on earth because our Creator gifted us with this beautiful planet, designed just right for us to have a bountiful life (and we are blessed with water that is essential for our life on earth). But through the love and sacrifice of our Lord, we are given Living Water, the promise of eternal life with our Father and Savior.
Wonderful post, as always, Ms. Katherine. Loved your insights ma’am. While we can water our plants and gardens, have you ever noticed that it merely sustains them until they too receive “living water” from God? I think the same thing happens in our lives. We can go to church, read the Bible, and even pray each day. It sustains our faith at best. Yet, when we actively participate in church, study the Bible, and seek that connection with God in our prayers each day (sometime not ending until we do), our faith grows. I believe our faith grows when God is present in our lives. It is His “living water” flowing through us that encourages and promotes our growth. In the same way, we can water our plants and gardens with what I call “city water” that has been filtered, treated, and processed. The water will keep the plant alive, but it doesn’t flourish and grow nearly as much as it does when doused by a thunderstorm. In a sense, the rain in that thunderstorm (I consider a gift from God) is “living water” for another of His creations. It is in the lightning the storm produces that changes and separates the nitrogen molecules in the raindrops into a usable form that can be taken up by the plants. Indeed my friend, we can water our lives and plants to sustain ourselves in “dry times”, but it is God’s living water that gives us maximum opportunity for growth. 🙂 God’s blessings my friend, and know I’m praying daily for rain, hay, and help your way.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, my friend. Your insights are so powerful. Yes, God’s gift of rain is such much more nourishing than “city water” (I call it that, too). As you say, when we water, it allows the plant to survive, but God’s water is the living water, much like us–our bodies can survive on earth without God’s Living Water, but only with His Spirit can we truly live here as well as in eternity with Him. I’m so grateful for your prayers, my friend and mine continue for you as well. May you and all the Cross-Dubya enjoy the blessings of our Father’s eternal love and care.
Katherine, I can definitely feel the wilt when I haven’t filled up with living water each day. Not intentionally, but we can get distracted with activities and wonder why frustration fills our souls. Taking a big drink of Jesus’s loving and living water refreshes and brings us life again. Blessings my friend!
You expressed your thoughts so well–I just nod and smile in agreement. I wish I could recognize when I’m on the way to wilting and fill up with God’s Living Water before I sink into despair. I’m so thankful our Lord is always ready and willing to lift us out of the wilt and into His loving arms. Thank you for sharing a blessing with us today, my friend.
The Bible uses the imagery over and over of thirsting after God. It’s so true, isn’t it? There is a thirst that only Jesus satisfies. He is the necessary element we were created for. You post has refreshed me. Thank you.
Oh, yes, Terri! Only Jesus can satisfy our thirst and we are so blessed that He is only a prayer away. Thank you for blessing me with your kindness and encouragement today. Wishing you peace, joy, and the gift of our Lord’s refreshment.
Amen, Katherine. Thank you.
Thank you, Diana. I hope your day is blessed!
We were in a terrible drought last year. And a milder one this year. It is depressing feeling the grass crunch under me. I love the woman at the well. It reminds me Jesus shows up in even our toughest places.
Like you, I love the woman at the well and the one Jesus stopped the men from stoning. These women remind me of me–sinners, yet loved by our Lord. I’m so thankful for His unfailing love and forgiveness. We are so blessed.
We certainly do wilt without Living Water. “Thirst” wonderfully describes our soul’s need for the nourishment of God. Isn’t it wonderful that it’s there for the taking; we only have to drink.
Thank you for this!
Yes, I agree, Candyce. The gift of Living Water is just that–a gift. Our Lord freely sacrificed His life because He loves us and our only decision is whether we say yes or no to His gift. I’m overwhelmed by His love, yet I’m so lacking in telling His story of love to others. The woman at the well wasn’t shy about telling others. I need to be bold as she was.
Katherine, just thinking about your post topic is refreshing. The Living Water God provides fills us with all the spiritual nourishment we need. The examples you listed remind us of our need for God’s refreshment: “But sometimes we may wilt when we’re overwhelmed with a too-long to-do list, a crisis, or when darkness sneaks into our lives and banishes the light of happiness.” In various ways, we need His refreshing daily.
“We need His refreshing daily.” Yes, Jeannie, I agree. Aren’t we so blessed that He grants us that daily refreshment? And all we need to do is seek it through prayer, reading His word, joining other believers in Christian fellowship, and praise and worship. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I really appreciate water after moving here to Colorado! So your analogy from the water plants and we humans need to the living water we need from God’s Word really hits home. Thank you, Katherine, and I pray your heat wave and drought end soon!is
Thank you for your prayers, Kathy. I know you all have been suffering from drought, and even worse, the threat of wildfires. My prayers are with you, too. We had a little rain last week and a slight break in temperatures, but we are still very dry. Wishing you peace, joy, and blessings as you begin a new school year.
I am thankful that God gives us both physical and spiritual water to replenish our bodies and souls. Thanks for sharing.
I am thankful as well, Joanna, and grateful for your encouragement. Wishing you continued blessings.
It amazes me how much the living water refreshes me especially during the time in the desert. Thanks for the wonderful message Katherine.
Thank you, Yvonne! Like you, I’m grateful for the refreshment of His living water, always available to us. We are so blessed.
Great post, Katherine. And I’ll echo JD’s comment. My husband will often run outside with the houseplants to let them catch the rainwater. Immersing ourselves in Christ is life-giving. Christ is the living water who goes beyond sustenance. Thanks and God bless!
Your husband and J.D. are right! Nature’s gift of rain is so much more nourishing than what J.D. calls “city water,” with all its additives. Even water from a well (although better than drought) is not as satisfying for plants as rainwater from God. You express it so well, Nancy, “Christ is the living water who goes beyond sustenance.” May God continue to bless your ministry of service.
Katherine, you draw excellent parallels between the physical world and the spiritual world. Thank you for this encouraging post.
Thank you for your encouragement, Annie. I think that’s why I find myself so at home in, and comforted by, nature. When in God’s creation–His Spirit rests on me when I seek Him in nature. For me, the physical and spiritual worlds run parallel, as you point out, and they also merge when we come together when we seek Him. Then He never leaves us or forsakes us. Wishing you joy and blessings.