Spring Musings
It seems almost incredible to me that as I write this reflection in February I am hearing on the news that we are officially in a drought. But then, I look out the open window to clear blue skies, with a thermometer telling me it’s 17 degrees and my incredulity diminishes.
The following photograph of a Kent reservoir is from the BBC website, taken this week to illustrate the story that we are desperately short of water as this lake should be full, after all it is winter! However, this will pose all of us with some serious issues if we have no significant rainfall in the South East come the summer. Some of us may be able to remember back to 1976 when standpipes in the street were the only source of water, and life got more difficult and we had to seriously consider how we used ever drop of the precious liquid.
Thankfully we have become used to not having to think about water; how we use it or where it comes from. But that may be all about to change and we’ll all be reminded once again just how precious water is, not just to the quality of life, but to life itself.
The Bible recognises this and regularly uses water as a picture of our spiritual health and our need to be refreshed, rehydrated and restored. Ezekiel was given a picture by God of His Spirit being like a river, refreshing and restoring life and health to those who are brave enough to partake. Starting with those who look out outside of themselves and worship God in His Temple, to those who are as dead, receiving healing in a parched and arid and poisoned land. Isaiah tells us that all those who are prepared to wait upon God will be refreshed by His Spirit and their vigour will be renewed; that they will, rather than stagger and thirst, will run and not grow weary. Jesus, said to the woman drawing water to refresh her body, that He was the source of all spiritual refreshment, to come to Him and drink deep and you’ll find in God a new dimension to your life.
Just as a person who is utterly parched is slowly restored to life and once more energised, those who come to Christ will know what it truly means to be fully alive; mind, body and soul. Not only that but the promise is that then, from you, will flow that same Spirit of God so that others may find a well where the real ‘dolce vita,’ the sweet life, may be found.
The promise of scripture is that, unlike water in the material world, this source of refreshing is not limited by geography or ever rationed, but is available to anyone who recognises Christ as the source and sustainer of all life. To all those who can admit their need, recognise the spiritual drought within themselves and come with open arms, will receive all that God has for them by His Spirit.
Now I cannot predict what will happen to our weather over Lent, let alone into the summer, but I can guarantee that anyone who creates time to reflect on their own life and the promises of God and responds as the women at Jacob’s well, saying “give me some of this water so that I won’t get thirsty again” will find “a well within themselves, springing up to eternal life.”
So whether you drink often, infrequently, or have never before received the real ‘aqua vitae,’ the water of life, from Jesus Christ, come in this season of drought and find blessing, both for today and eternity.
Why not read Richard’s “older musings” – here ->
