Water
Two thirds of the human body is water. Because we lose water constantly through perspiration, respiration, digestion and waste disposal, our body fluids must be replenished regularly. Without sufficient water, sweating ceases, blood circulation slows, and tasks become arduous. Even in temperate weather, people can survive only a relatively short time without water. In hot deserts, they’ll need a gallon or more a day each.
Fieldbook – Boy Scouts of America
Out in the great outdoors, safe drinking water is a necessity. You can go quite a while without food in an emergency situation. But the outlook without water is dire. Early on, an avid hiker will learn that a gallon of water weighs 8 pounds (and gasoline only 6 pounds, interestingly – but don’t carry it as a water replacement). So with great need there is also great cost to keep adequate supplies on hand. And additives are to be avoided. Much like salt water, soda has large amounts of sodium, which actually increases thirst rather than quenching it.
Throughout Scripture and humanity’s reflection on it, water has been used as a symbol or metaphor for the Holy Spirit (other common symbols being oil, wind and fire). The Holy Spirit’s role in the baptism of Jesus has cemented this, but is not the lone connection. Another great example is John 7:37-39John 7:37-39
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
Streams of Life-Giving Water
37 . On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and shouted, “If you are thirsty, come to me and drink!
38 ; . Have faith in me, and you will have life-giving water flowing from deep inside you, just as the Scriptures say.”
39 Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit, who would be given to everyone that had faith in him. The Spirit had not yet been given to anyone, since Jesus had not yet been given his full glory. k had not yet been given his full glory: In the Gospel of John, Jesus is given his full glory both when he is nailed to the cross and when he is raised from death to sit beside his Father in heaven.
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On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. As the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
John 7:37-39John 7:37-39
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
Streams of Life-Giving Water 37 . On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and shouted, “If you are thirsty, come to me and drink! 38 ; . Have faith in me, and you will have life-giving water flowing from deep inside you, just as the Scriptures say.” 39 Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit, who would be given to everyone that had faith in him. The Spirit had not yet been given to anyone, since Jesus had not yet been given his full glory. k had not yet been given his full glory: In the Gospel of John, Jesus is given his full glory both when he is nailed to the cross and when he is raised from death to sit beside his Father in heaven.
WP-Bible plugin, NIV
Just as water is essential for cleansing, so the Holy Spirit is the the agent by which cleansing and purification is made possible in our lives. As water is required to sustain life, so the Holy Spirit is essential for the follower of Jesus. The alternative is a dry and unproductive life, and who wants that? Beyond sustaining and cleansing, water is also refreshing. You can swim in it on a hot summer’s day. It helps cool our body when we labor. And walking in a nice spring rain can bring pleasure to the soul. So too, the Spirit is powerful in our lives, refreshing us when we are weak, cooling our tension and stress, helping us to thrive even in the “desert” periods of our lives.
The Spirit longs to guide us into God’s will. The Spirit is the one who illuminates God’s word for us, making it more than just words on the page. He reveals God’s will to us as a body and as individuals. And continuing the metaphor, you wouldn’t set out on a hike without water; don’t leave home without the Spirit! Spend time in prayer so that you are sensitive to his voice. Let him move through you, empowering you to serve and persevere in the face of adversity. Humble yourself before him and let him reveal and correct sin in your life so that you can become a shining example of your holy Father!
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