Within The Fellowship

What an extraordinary substance water is even though there is so much of it about. It covers a major portion of the Earth's surface and it is the main constituent of plant life. In fact quite a lot of our own bodies are made up of various forms of water. Yet this substance that we take so much for granted is really quite extraordinary. It exists in all three different forms naturally upon the Earth's surface. The way in which it expands as it freezes is unique among liquids and that is useful for living things in water. But why make so much fuss about it?

Well, firstly it is a rather wonderful piece of our Father's handiwork. It gives a sense of unity to us with all living things and with our environment. We associate it with our Lord's words to a woman by a well near Samaria and to the crowds in Jerusalem listening to Him on the 'last day of a festival'.

Living water was offered to the audience of one and to the throngs of the city. Perhaps those who live in hot climates and who know about water shortage, living water is specially poignant. We tend to take water from a tap for granted. Only when we have a water shortage or something like a flood disaster do we begin to realise how vital it is to our health and well being.

So what is 'living water'? It was not a new idea to the Jewish mind for the prophets had spoken about it. Isaiah spoke of coming to the "waters" Jeremiah complained "they have forsaken the Lord the spring of living water." (17.13) and Rev.21.13 To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life".. Throughout His ministry Jesus was asked how to get 'eternal life'. Living water is as essential for spiritual (eternal) life just as literal water is essential for our human life.

At the Samaritan well, the woman insisted on taking Jesus literally. But when she asked about practicalities in worship the Lord quickly turned her to the spiritual aspect. The literal place is not important ‑ but 'spirit and truth' are important. Coming to God, shorn of the arrogance and hypocrisy of human society, wanting Him face to face, in holiness and love, this is eternal life and from personal contact with the great Reality of the Universe we find that what is essential for real life. Jesus was offering to link God's wayward people with Him so that they may feel and know that their inner spirit is satisfied and that their spiritual life is really growing.

Understanding the mechanics of God's purpose is very wonderful but in itself it will not make our spiritual lives grow. Growth occurs when we begin to understand and to know the Father who devised that wonderful creative plan.