The power of water.
It is incredible how powerful water is. In grade school, I learned that water was known as the “universal Solvent.” Over time, water will erode or cut through anything—water powers much of California’s energy with hydro-generation plants like Camp 9. Then, we all need water to survive.
I drink 120 oz of water daily because I feel better with proper hydration. I also try to drink 16 oz of water within minutes of getting out of bed because our body needs to flush out all the toxins it built up overnight. I also read that warm water is the best to drink in the morning to help with this flush.
In the fourth chapter of John, we encounter a fascinating story about a woman at Jacob’s Well. It’s noon, and Jesus is resting when the woman arrives. Jesus, feeling tired and thirsty, asks her for a drink. What struck me about this interaction were the words he used. Jesus says, ‘Give me a drink.’ It starkly contrasts how my mom would have taught me to ask for water, with a polite ‘please’ and a patient wait for my turn.
This woman at the well does not seem to be bothered by the question but is, in fact, upset that Jesus was a Jew and she was a Samaritan. It is an even more fascinating reply by Jesus when He says,
“Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
When I think of living water, it comes from a well that can not run dry. This implies a well that is deeper than we can see or measure. It is this idea of a well of living water that we are announcing our new monthly night of prayer, worship, and pursuit of God. We are calling this ministry “The Well.” On these nights, we will go deeper with Jesus resting at His feet, not widening our understanding of scripture.
On Maundy Thursday, we had a powerful night. We emptied ourselves before entering the Sanctuary for prayer and worship. Ask anyone who attended; it was a powerful night where everyone who came was met where they were by Jesus. Many got healing from past hurts, others found encouragement, some asked for forgiveness while repenting, and others could forgive others who hurt them.
Revelation 7:17 says For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
The Well will provide a place for the Living Water to wipe tears, reveal hearts, and heal hurts each month. These nights of prayer, worship, and pursuit will give us a place to seek the Lord freely. To worship any way you feel called. You can stand, kneel, lay down, sit, cry, shout with joy, or anything else.
If you have a burden, bring it to The Well. Have a prodigal child? Bring them to The Well in prayer. Do addiction, divorce, or illness break you? Please bring it to The Well. We are going deeper with Jesus, our Living Water.
These nights will be on the fourth Thursday of each month, starting April 25th, at 6 PM for the Consecration Room and 6:30 PM for worship in the Sanctuary.