I just noticed that March 22nd is designated as World Water Day.  An alarm is heard about the lack of clean water and the dangerous effect of pollution on our supply.  Water is critical to life. Without it, humans can live only a few days.  Water quenches thirst, removes toxins, aids food digestion, transports nutrients to every cell in our bodies, and keeps us clean.   We need water; we simply can’t do without it.  Nothing satisfies the body like a cool drink of water after strenuous exercise.  Even the dry and barren earth cries out for a rain shower after being starved for a season.

On this national day set aside to focus on this urgent matter, we are being called on to do our part to reverse the devastating impact of the current state of this life giving sustenance. We must respond.

This brings to mind water of a different sort. Just as we can’t last long without natural water; the same holds true with spiritual water.  There is a story in the bible about a woman whose daily routine was to go to the well for water.  This was the custom during that time since there was no running water from the tap or bottled water from the store.  On this fateful day, she met Jesus who is the Giver of living water.  He first asked her for a drink of water. When she questioned Him about the water exchange that was about to take place, Jesus answered, “whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.” (John 4:13-14). This water would quench her empty love, starved soul, and satisfy her every need forever.

Today we also focus on another national observance, Easter. This week leading up to Resurrection Sunday is known as the Passion of Christ.  It tells of the agony, horrific suffering and grief Jesus experienced on the days before His crucifixion on  “Good Friday”. Recently a  TV special, “The Passion”, filmed live in New Orleans, presented a contemporary adaptation of the week’s events.  An aerial view of a large white Cross, the symbol of our Christian faith, weaved its way as if flowing, through the streets of the city.  It was an awesome sight.

Not nearly however as awesome as it must have been to see Jesus making His way through the streets of Jerusalem bearing His Cross to Calvary over 2000 years ago to make the ultimate sacrifice.   Because of His burning passion and a love so unexplainable, He chose to die so that we could live.  He knew we needed it. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Today as we experience a water shortage, with all the chaos, calamity and hatred that touches every corner of the world, a drought of immense proportions indicates a shortage of love among mankind as well. In too many instances, hope seems to have evaded what man’s heart seeks after and so desperately thirsts for and that is love.   Probably the same hopeless feeling the disciples and followers of Jesus felt when He died on that Friday.

But Hope was restored and Love triumphed over death, hell and the grave, when Jesus arose on Sunday morning. That’s Good News and because He lives, there is no shortage in God’s reservoir of Love. It’s a deep and endless well, pure and abundant in supply.

Focus on Jesus, the Giver of Living Water and Eternal Love. Meet Him daily at the well as this should be your custom. Drink up so that you can be a free flowing vessel of His love.  Hear the cries of someone who has no hope and whose soul is parched.  Offer them a cool drink of that life giving water. Your response is critical. They may not last much longer.

“Quickly! Let us hasten to drink from Your goodness overflowing for fear that they may choose to die of thirst.” –                                  From “Living Water” –  A Good Work Begun  © 2012 Renee Hill Carter