Pastor's Corner August 2019

Long summer days are the joy of August. But sweltering summer heart and overactive days can drain a person. We kept our niece, Kacey Lake, for a couple of days recently and more than once she reminded us to drink water to keep hydrated (although Kacey prefers her hydration with carbonation and flavoring). Maybe that’s why this illustration drew my attention when I came across it. It’s about an abandoned wooden well bucket (IU & Purdue fans, think old oaken bucket). The bucket was sitting next to a barn out in the hot sun and it had not been used in a very long time. The staves had shrunken, and you could see daylight between them, so it appeared quite useless since it couldn’t hold water. But someone offered some help. They tied the bucket to the well rope and dropped it into the water in the well. In a couple of days, they went back to the well and turned the crank to draw up the bucket. When it reached the top, it was full of cool, clean water and was not leaking at all. The well water had re-hydrated the wooden staves and expanded them into the snug fit as originally designed. The bucket, then, was very useful.

This is a vivid portrayal of the importance of having ample amounts of water and of being in regular use. The human body also requires sufficient hydration to function properly. Serious physical and mental ailments can result if an individual becomes dehydrated (not enough water flowing through them).

Spiritually, the same holds true. To be spiritually healthy and to function faithfully, we need water; the living water Jesus offers the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. “But whoever drinks of the water that I give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” (John 4:14) The living waters clearly represent salvation into eternal life (water is essential for life), but it also represents service to the Kingdom. Jesus said, “He who believes in Me, as the scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water’.” (John 7:38) We see this intention of accomplishing good for the Kingdom in Isaiah’s words: And the Lord will continually guide you…and you will be like a watered garden… (Isaiah 58:11) Why do you plant a garden and keep it watered? So that it will produce.

The Lord calls us not to be content with just having the water of His salvation poured over us. He desires that we become, and stay, saturated with the living water and ready to share and serve the Kingdom. We need to remain hydrated to be strong, productive, and functioning fluidly. Up your living water intake!

Blessings,

Martin