Jim Stevens writes…
I don’t know how the weather will be over this summer, but we have all been alerted to the probable shortage of water. Water, without which there can be no life and growth.
In October 2000, I was in Rwanda for three weeks, and the country waited anxiously for those vital life-giving rains, which were overdue: crucial to the food supply of that densely populated land: no rains, no food. Fortunately they came, just in time.
I have seen lack of water too in my gardening exploits – a little late with watering in the greenhouse or those hanging baskets….
There can so easily be another “water” shortage – that of the sort which Jesus promised, without which the spiritual side of us dries up, and even dies. “If anyone is thirsty”, Jesus said, “let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this, the apostle John adds, Jesus meant the (Holy) Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were….to receive. (John’s Gospel, chapter 7 verses 37, 38)
What a gift! Living water, flowing from within. The Holy Spirit who refreshed, invigorated and equipped the man Jesus in his daily life, available in us! No hint of a shortage of the availability of this “water”. Anyone, Jesus says, may enjoy this water welling up from deep within – the only condition, a willingness to come to Him and drink! And that is so often where we miss out. You might like to ponder why.
This month sees the celebration of Pentecost (Whitsun in older language), when God fulfilled His promise of pouring out His Spirit on all those who believed in Him. God has not changed. He is more than willing to go filling anyone’s life with His, provided we come to Him, welcoming His Lordship over us, and having a positive attitude of resting in His love and goodness.
There may be a water shortage for our gardens and our homes this summer – a matter largely out of our hands: but there never need be a shortage of the “streams of living water flowing from within”…. It is up to each one of us.
With my greetings and prayers,
Jim Stevens