“On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water”‘ –John 7:37-38

“As living water pours sustenance on us, so we pour it onto others. It’s not for wasting in the way rock stars empty bottled water into bathtubs. We can’t horde it; it can’t be sold. It can only be given away, just as Christ gave his life away for us (including those of us who are poor or homeless). Think what a little living water, showered with utmost care and humility, can do for someone who is thirsty. Think about what it has done for you.” (Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (Kindle Edition.)

Pour It On

Water is becoming a limited if not incredibly costly commodity in many cities and communities today. Too many of our brothers and sisters in this society are without access to clean and abundant water for drinking and agriculture. Across the Midwest and the Southwest people are drawing up lines of demarcation around rivers, aquifers, and other sources of fresh water so they have the “rights” to determine who and how this water can be used. And those sources are growing smaller and smaller.

Jesus offers “living water” to his followers, not just regular water. What is “living” water? “Living” water is the unconditional and unquenchable love, mercy and grace that Jesus offers to all people. There is no rite of passage to this water, there is list of accomplishments one must complete to have access to it. It is something we must accept, not earn. And yet, too many people treat this water as if it is too hard to find and too precious to divide. But it is neither – it is free and flowing and available any time. Instead of putting boundaries around this water, we should be pouring it out abundantly as Jesus teaches us. When we share the love and acceptance of Jesus to everyone we meet, we just do not know how life-changing that water will be to whomever we pour it upon.

Let us pray,

Lord of ever-flowing water, make me a vessel to pour out your love, mercy, and compassion to those parched for it. Amen.

Pastor Dave