Pond or river?

455 pond or river

As a child, I spent some time with my cousins ​​on Grandma's farm. We went down to the pond and looked for something exciting. What did we have there for fun, we caught frogs, waded in the mud and discovered some slimy inhabitants. The adults were not surprised when we came home smeared with natural grime, unlike what we had left.

Ponds are often places full of mud, algae, small critters and cattails. Ponds fed by a source of fresh water can promote life and still change into stagnant water. If the water is still, it lacks the oxygen. Algae and weedy plants can get rife. In contrast, fresh water in a flowing river can feed many different species of fish. If I needed drinking water, I would certainly prefer the river and not the pond!

Our spiritual life can be compared to ponds and rivers. We can stand still, like a pond that is stale and does not move, that is bland and that stifles life. Or we are fresh and alive like a fish in the river.
To stay fresh, a river needs a strong spring. When the spring dries up, the fish dies in the river. Spiritually and physically, God is our source, giving us life and strength and constantly renewing us. We do not have to worry about God ever losing his power. He is like a river that flows, strong and always fresh.

In the Gospel of John Jesus says, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink." Whoever believes in me, as the Scriptures say, streams of living water will flow from within him” (John 7,37-38).
This invitation to come and drink is the culmination of a series of references to water in this gospel: the water was changed to wine (chapter 2), the water of rebirth (chapter 3), the living water (chapter 4), the purifying water of Bethesda (chapter 5) and the calming of the water (chapter 6). They all point to Jesus as the agent of God who brings God's gracious offer of life.

Isn't it marvelous how God provides for the thirsty (all of us) in this parched and weary land where there is no water? David describes it this way: “God, you are my God that I seek. My soul thirsts for you; my body longs for you from dry, parched land where there is no water” (Psalm 63,2).

All he asks of us is to come and drink. Everyone is allowed to come and drink from the water of life. Why are so many thirsty people standing in front of the well and refusing to drink?
Are you thirsty, do you even suffer from dehydration? Are you like a stale pond? Refreshment and renewal are as close as your Bible and how a prayer is instantly available. Come to Jesus every day and take a good, refreshing, sip from the source of His life and do not forget to share this water with other thirsty souls.

by Tammy Tkach


 

pdfPond or river?