DRINK PLENTY OF WATER

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER

Time and again, we have all heard this advice: Drink lots and lots of water.  A medical snippet I read suggests that we drink two glasses of water in the morning (to kick-start our internal organs), along with one glass prior to meals (preferably warm for digestive purposes) and one glass at bedtime (to prevent heart attacks and strokes).  Other medical professionals recommend eight glasses daily for a healthy water regimen. Apparently, the consumption of copious amounts of water is crucial to the maintenance of health. 

First, let’s consider the natural, then the spiritual ramifications.  The composition of both planet Earth and the human body provides key clues to the Creator’s intent regarding water.  Our world is comprised of two-thirds water, in contrast with the totality of land masses.  Likewise, our bodies are approximately two-thirds water, which varies somewhat based upon individual characteristics.  Our brains are seventy-five percent water; our lungs (believe it or not) are eighty-three percent water.  That fact makes drowning in water a bit more difficult to understand, right?  These truths depict the biological necessity of water.

Long distance runners talk about “hitting the wall,” which means their energy level drops to nearly zero if they are not sufficiently hydrated.  The bottom-line is that our bodies are designed to function best with ample H2O.  It might seem counterintuitive, but marathoners’ pit-stops for water do not slow them down. Instead, stopping a moment for water quickens their steps and potentiates their ability to run and finish well.

Scientists who specialize in the search for extraterrestrial life look for any evidence of water content on other planets.  Their conclusion: Where there is water, there is the possibility of life.

In the Spirit realm, water is also of vital importance.  The word “water” is mentioned over 635 times in the scriptures.  Early in creation, “the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:2) Shortly thereafter, God ordered “the waters [to] bring forth abundantly the moving creature[s] that have life.” (Genesis 1:20) Thus, one could rightfully infer that sea life emerged from those potent created waters at God’s command.  Wow!

Jesus Christ invited the now famous Samaritan woman-at-the-well to drink of “living water” that would forever quench her spiritual thirst. (John 4:10) This ‘liquid’ spiritual encounter totally transformed her life, and others in her community as well.  The new birth operates just like that.  When your spirit-thirst is truly satisfied, you are highly motivated to share that life-affirming experience with others.  In the final book of the Bible, Jesus invites “him that is thirsty” to drink “of the fountain of the water of life freely.”  This offer is generously extended to all, that is to “whosoever will.” (Revelation 21:6 and 22:17)

Even the sanctification of members of the Body of Christ is predicated upon “the washing of water by the word.” (Ephesians 5:26) Thus, Christ’s spiritual water has both life-giving and soul-purifying properties.

Within the New Jerusalem, John’s apocalyptic vision reveals the presence of “a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.”  And “on either side of the river, was there the tree of life…and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:1-2)

Beyond any shadow of doubt, we are now spiritually alive because of Christ’s gracious infusion of living water.  The superstitious Athenians created an altar dedicated to “The Unknown God,” and there Paul identified The True Source of our being: “In HIM we live, and move, and have our being.” (Acts 17:23;28)

Therefore, we must collectively resolve to drink plenty of water.  It will bless us and all whom we encounter.  A classic American Express television commercial had this memorable slogan: “Don’t leave home without it.”  Respectfully, I beg to differ.  You could successfully leave home without the American Express card, but you should never think of traveling anywhere or doing anything without THE living water.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!