Sharing the Water of Life
Sharing the Water of Life
The land was dry and arid. It rarely rained. Because of this the desert had no vegetation and there was no shelter from the burning heat of the sun. But in the midst of the desert was an oasis, a well was fed by a spring that bubbled up from the ground. A small community had settled at the oasis and some weary travelers found refreshment and rest there. But there were other travelers who did not know about the oasis and perished in the midst of the desert.
The villagers who lived at the oasis were troubled by this. Each day they would send out search parties looking for travelers and pointing them towards the oasis where they would find water and shelter. They put up signs pointing people towards the oasis and warning travelers about the dangers of travelling in the desert.
Then one day a wise woman suggested that instead of going out to the desert to find travelers they could take water in big containers out into the desert. They loaded up the camels and took the water with them. By this means they were able to help more travelers.
Then the wise woman had an even better idea. She suggested that they should dig deep holes in the desert and fill them with water from the well. That way travelers would find water even when the villagers were not in that area.
One day a traveler found his way to the oasis. Grateful for the cool, refreshing water, he started talking with the villagers and commended them for their hard work to save the lives of travelers. But, he wondered, what if they dug irrigation channels from the oasis out into the desert? Could the desert itself be transformed?
Jesus talked about the gift of living water that only He can offer. If we are Christians we have received that gift, but how will we share it with others?
Do we just try to tell people about Jesus?
Do we just try to get people to church?
Do we want to help people to know Jesus for themselves?
How will we share the water of life? One thing is for sure; it is too good to keep to ourselves!
+++
If we use the imagery of a desert and an oasis, it is easy to understand what Jesus can do for a person.
The people of our world or simply our community are dying of thirst. How many people walk into our local funeral homes to make final arrangements for their loved ones, but who have no assurance in that moment for their loved one or for themselves?
How many are living aimless lives simply existing. Like the parched traveler in the desert who is simply taking one more step, headed in a direction to he knows not what. So many people are simply existing but who have no real life in them.
How many families are struggling in the midst of friction and chaos because they do not really know how to love or what it means to truly love others.
Our schools are a mess! Crimes are taking place every day. Businesses open and close! Hopes and dreams are shattered while all the time alcohol and drug use are on the rise. These are the world’s “go to” for escape! People wandering aimlessly in the desert and dying of thirst.
We have so much to offer to our world. We have the Wellspring of Life not only with us but in us! Jesus said, “whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never be thirsty; but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.” John 4:14
What is already in you, what you have as your very own can overflow and water the desert! Share what you have with those who are dying of thirst! We Well will never run dry!
Be Blessed!
Pastor Russ
The land was dry and arid. It rarely rained. Because of this the desert had no vegetation and there was no shelter from the burning heat of the sun. But in the midst of the desert was an oasis, a well was fed by a spring that bubbled up from the ground. A small community had settled at the oasis and some weary travelers found refreshment and rest there. But there were other travelers who did not know about the oasis and perished in the midst of the desert.
The villagers who lived at the oasis were troubled by this. Each day they would send out search parties looking for travelers and pointing them towards the oasis where they would find water and shelter. They put up signs pointing people towards the oasis and warning travelers about the dangers of travelling in the desert.
Then one day a wise woman suggested that instead of going out to the desert to find travelers they could take water in big containers out into the desert. They loaded up the camels and took the water with them. By this means they were able to help more travelers.
Then the wise woman had an even better idea. She suggested that they should dig deep holes in the desert and fill them with water from the well. That way travelers would find water even when the villagers were not in that area.
One day a traveler found his way to the oasis. Grateful for the cool, refreshing water, he started talking with the villagers and commended them for their hard work to save the lives of travelers. But, he wondered, what if they dug irrigation channels from the oasis out into the desert? Could the desert itself be transformed?
Jesus talked about the gift of living water that only He can offer. If we are Christians we have received that gift, but how will we share it with others?
Do we just try to tell people about Jesus?
Do we just try to get people to church?
Do we want to help people to know Jesus for themselves?
How will we share the water of life? One thing is for sure; it is too good to keep to ourselves!
+++
If we use the imagery of a desert and an oasis, it is easy to understand what Jesus can do for a person.
The people of our world or simply our community are dying of thirst. How many people walk into our local funeral homes to make final arrangements for their loved ones, but who have no assurance in that moment for their loved one or for themselves?
How many are living aimless lives simply existing. Like the parched traveler in the desert who is simply taking one more step, headed in a direction to he knows not what. So many people are simply existing but who have no real life in them.
How many families are struggling in the midst of friction and chaos because they do not really know how to love or what it means to truly love others.
Our schools are a mess! Crimes are taking place every day. Businesses open and close! Hopes and dreams are shattered while all the time alcohol and drug use are on the rise. These are the world’s “go to” for escape! People wandering aimlessly in the desert and dying of thirst.
We have so much to offer to our world. We have the Wellspring of Life not only with us but in us! Jesus said, “whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never be thirsty; but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.” John 4:14
What is already in you, what you have as your very own can overflow and water the desert! Share what you have with those who are dying of thirst! We Well will never run dry!
Be Blessed!
Pastor Russ
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