Living Water (Day 24)

June 27, 2021, By: Jimmy Scruggs

 

Starter Prayer: Jesus our Brother, who understands our thirst: Thank you for caring about our needs and offering us Living Water. Take me deeper into this experience with you; and give me the grace to accept your gift of spiritual renewal. Amen

Focus Phrase: Living Water

Scripture Reading: Psalm 63:1-4; John 4:1-15; John 7:37-38; Revelation 22:17.

Optional Read-along: Water, Wind, Earth and Fire pp. 85-88a (Chapter Two: Sister Water, Section: Living Water.)

Spiritual Direction:

One time I went on a rafting trip with Dave and some of his old college friends. They had all been rafting guides together in college. The trip was through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison over several days– no roads in or out. The hike to the boat launch was one mile straight down to the bottom of the canyon. Everyone went down and back twice to haul personal and group gear. We were guzzling a lot of water in the 100 degree heat. 

When our water bottles were empty, we began asking the trip organizer where we could refill them. Having led trips myself, I am familiar with providing water for a group this size. Sadly, this outfitter did not bring water– only beer. Against my better judgment, I got in the boat and took the trip. For days I drank only beer and coffee made with boiled river water. It was one of the most miserable experiences of my life; and I’ll never forget my first drink of water once it was all over.

Thirst! The topic comes up often in scripture. Like Jesus on the cross, or at a well in Samaria, we experience thirst. In the physical world, we know what it is like to endure heat without enough water. We know the relief and satisfaction of quenching our thirst with fresh water after a long hike or a hard cry.

In the realm of your soul, you know what thirst feels like too– spiritual dryness, weariness from waiting on God to answer a difficult question, or fatigue from battling illness or grief. Our souls thirst for the Living Water that comes from the Spirit of the Living Christ.

The scriptures verify our experience. Spiritual dryness happens; then God comes rushing into our lives as Living Water that quenches our spiritual thirst.

For reflection: Where in your life are you longing for renewal of living water?

For prayer practice: Use your imagination to pray through John 4:1-42. Read the passage through slowly. Then set it aside, close your eyes and allow yourself to move through the scene, picturing all that is happening. Notice the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and feelings. Watch Jesus interact with the Samaritan woman. See the expressions on their faces. Then insert yourself into her position when Jesus offers her living water and she accepts the offer. End in a conversation with Jesus about where you would like to have living water poured into your life.

Be encouraged in your practice,

Katie Martinez

Endnotes

  • For daily texts with the Focus Word, Starter Prayer and link to these daily posts, text the word “journey” to 970-500-0970.
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This daily devotion is part of the Summer Growth Journey: Learning to Pray with Nature with Crossroads Church. Many of us are also reading through Water, Wind, Earth & Fire: The Christian Practice of Praying with the Elements by Christine Valters Paintner. To purchase a copy, or for more information, email us at [email protected].