Shift in Power
The skies open up to release their fullness in light showers that are tantalizing to the skin. The grass sway in rhythm as they enjoy the cool droplets. The children can risk a beating just to enjoy a rare gem. It is water, it is life. The skies have been dominated by a scorching king for four consecutive months and now there is a shift in power. Our taps ran dry.
In normal season there would be complaints about how the rain is bringing activities to a halt. I observe everyone’s reaction keenly. It registers in my mind ‘you never know the value of something until you lose it’ is it the same in Christianity?
If Ye Thirsts
In John 7:17 Jesus said ‘if anyone thirsts let him come to me for a drink.’ Christ is known as The Everliving Water. As depicted in John 4:14-15 when Christ told the Samaritan woman’ but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give will never thirst again ….’ This concept is sometimes ambiguous. In John 7:39 Apostle John clarifies that “now this (The water) He said of the Spirit which those who believed in Him were to get”
Israelites often encountered God’s temperament as the ‘source of water’. In Noah’s flood (Gen 7), in Haggai’s story, in Massah and Meriba (Exodus 17) in Elisha purifying water, (2nd Kings 2) Striking the rock to bring water (Numbers 20). The Psalmist hummed “He who turned the rock into a pool of water” (Psalms 114:8)
A Quenching Fountain
Like aqua life relies entirely on the water for survival so do Christians rely on Christ’s water (Holy Spirit) for us to exist (2 Corinthians 3:17). In Christ alone do we get the abundance of Spirit to discern, obey God, get hope of everlasting life, gain awareness of our gifts. And as rain quenches dry grounds so does Christ quench our thirst for the Word, pacifies us when our hearts are in unrest, becomes our assurance when our faith is shaken, and gives us contentment.
In return we cultivate our relationship with Christ by immersing our hearts into reading the word, having pure meditations, fellowshipping together as brethren, repenting our sins, keeping His commands, and importantly; having faith in Him for without faith it is impossible to please Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
Freely Unappreciated
The idea of storing water during flooding sounds odd and leaving a running tap feels normal. Because the water seems to be long-lasting. We get used to it and forget its central importance in our lives. As Christians, we tend to take for granted the fact Christ has freely given us the Holy Spirit. We use grace for convenience and misuse the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We become selfish in spreading the Gospel. And during this World cup season, it is striking to see how one lets Bible study slide to watch ‘The Goat’ and forget about The Lamb of God.
A fountain of water does not cease to flow because we take it for granted. But we are cut from the true vine and we cannot access the water. And Romans 1:24 clearly states the punishment of exchanging the truth of God for a lie. So, do we become hopeless, despondent, insatiable, and restless when the Spring is not accessible?
Drink At No Cost
Finally, Christ calls all those who thirst to come for quenching at no cost. We are given free will to take that for granted or with gratitude. Whichever decision we make does not revamp the fact that from His fountain flows everlasting peace, forgiveness and life. Like the Samaritan woman, we can opt to make Jesus our Aqua La Viva.
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JKUATCU CREAM & LIBRARY MINISRTIES