Water In Summer

Warm summer days find people across Canada heading to lakes, rivers or ocean beaches.  There's something refreshing and relaxing about a sunny day at the beach and going in and out of cool water.

The Bible is full of water images that invite us to come close to God and receive healing and forgiveness that will refresh us and give us the security that brings peace to our heart. 

When we first come to God we are invited to be baptized in water.  The purpose of baptism is not to wash dirt off our skin but to signify that we've invited God to live in us and wash our hearts free from the sin that has polluted our beings.   When we come out of the water we are purified from all hindrances and filled with the Spirit of God to live life anew.

When they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River ... For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.   (Mark 1:5, Romans 6:4 NLT)

Jesus offers us ongoing forgiveness as we journey in life in the Spirit.  God knows we will sin and make mistakes and so He tells us to come to him so we can be cleaned up in any area that needs it.   He reminds us of the cleansing He's already done in our hearts and lives and then washes us clean from the area of sin we now confess. 

Jesus said, “If you’ve had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you’re clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene.”   But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.   (John 13:10 MSG, 1 John 1:9 NLT)

It's always important when we are out in the sun to be careful about staying hydrated.  As we go through our daily lives, Jesus knows we will become spiritually dry if we don't drink often of all that He is offering.  When we admit we have neglected to drink from God's goodness and our lives have become as dry as a desert, God upon request, will provide what we need to be replenished and refreshed. 

Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.”  Yes, I will make rivers in the dry waste-land so my chosen people can be refreshed.  (John 7:37-38, Isaiah 43:20 NLT)

Let's stay refreshed and hydrated this summer, not just with physical water but also with the water of life.

©2015 Partners in Hope