Summer days are bearing down upon us with their searing heat and high humidity. While some in the valley have gotten some rain, others are very, very dry and there is concern not only for gardens and crops, but for wells and cisterns.
For those with diminished water supplies, we are fortunate to have a few men in our area who deliver water. Their trucks can be seen most days running to and fro filling up at the source and emptying out on demand to keep homes well supplied with fresh water.
As I passed Freddy Reedy’s water truck a while back, it occurred to me that every Christian should be in the water delivery business. Jesus has called us to supply living water for Him to everyone with whom we come in contact.
Even though rains refresh our soils, many people in our neighborhoods are parched and weary. The affairs of life have sucked all spiritual nourishment from their lives and their hearts are desert dry.
What a privilege God has given Jesus’ followers to drive His delivery trucks of living water by speaking joy and encouragement into their souls. We have the honor of allowing the Holy Spirit to splash out of us and onto others providing hope, inspiration, and happiness.
Fortunately, we don’t have to drive back to a spring several times a day to refill our own tanks. Instead, we must stay in constant connection with Jesus Christ who is Himself the Water of Life. When we spend some time each morning communing with Him and reading and meditating on His Holy Word, He fills our souls with His living water that we can then share with others throughout the day.
In fact, Jesus assured the Jews in Jerusalem in John 7:37-38, “If anyone is thirsty, 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.” What a cool refreshing promise this is for those traveling through life’s thirsty badlands!
While water truck drivers need payment to cover their expenses, labor, and time, Jesus has already paid for all to receive His liquid love. Through His crucifixion and resurrection, He has provided payment in advance for every drop of grace we share with others. It is our extreme privilege to distribute it on His behalf and in His name.
With this understanding, every follower of Jesus should be looking for thirsty souls to refresh. There are many such individuals and they can be found at virtually every jobsite, street address, and grocery store. We encounter them at ballgames and concerts as well as at school events and beaches. They can even be found in our churches.
Dehydrated bodies lead to physical death and dehydrated souls yield depression, heartache, and misery. Whenever you encounter someone you sense may be hurting, lonely, and thirsty, ask the Lord to help you hook up your hose of hope and allow His living water to flow freely and abundantly into their heart’s cistern.
Ideally, we’ll not just deliver Jesus’ water, but lead them to the Spring Himself. By introducing others to Jesus, not only does He then keep their reservoirs full, they also become water trucks themselves delivering His lovingkindness to others easing the pressing burden of demand on us. Because there is never a shortage of hurting people, we’ll never be out of a delivery job until Jesus returns.
As the summer moves along with the corresponding rise in the heat index, let’s recognize the role God has assigned us to deliver His living water to all those around us and let us do it with joy and gladness. Summer blessings, George
George Bowers is the Senior Pastor of Antioch Covenant Brethren Church and has authored 23 books including Blessings Volumes 1-4 which are collections of these articles. They are available at Four Star Printing and Travelers Treasures. He can be reached through www.georgebowersministries.com or at gabowers@shentel.net.
