John 4:10 "...If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

John 3:5 "I tell you the truth, unless a man is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Isaiah 12:3 "With joy you will draw water from the well of salvation.

Water is the most amazing element. In the last few years I have come to appreciate it's power more and more. It has the power to rehydrate, to melt, to cleanse, the list goes on and on. Everytime I turn on the tap, I am reminded how amazing this gift is.

My parents taught me to love being in the water. We traveled to Boston and swam in the Atlantic, we traveled to the Canadian border and paddled canoes for days on the lakes, we rushed down white water rapids, I lived in the swimming pool during summers while I was growing up, Bell's Dell is located on a river and I spent innumerable hours swimming and playing there. Dad took us fishing in Canada, on the Boone River, all over the state of Iowa. I have always loved the water.

The first time I was exposed to the power of the Pacific Ocean crashing against the rocks in San Francisco, I didn't want to leave. I forced my friend to sit with me for hours while I listened and watched. Waterfalls absolutely entrance me, I don't know that there is anything more beautiful than that extreme amount of water rushing over the side of a mountain.

It's not surprising that the image of water is used to explain to us some of the basic tenets of faith. We understand it's ability to cleanse, so we know that our sins can be washed away. We sense the refreshing of a cool glass of water, so we know that God can remove thirst by offering us living water. We understand that finding a well in a desert is important to maintain life, so we know that when our lives are a desert of loneliness, bitterness and anger the well of God's salvation is the only place to draw hope. And we know that our bodies are made of 70% water, but it is the spirit that makes us who we are.

Revelation 22:1-3 describes the New Jerusalem and the River of Life that flows from the throne of God and the Lamb. On either side is the Tree of Life and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Come to the waters? Have you come before the Lord God and opened yourself to His living water? Imagine standing under a waterfall and allowing the water to flow over your body. (ok, maybe not one as powerful as Niagara). Now, imagine standing under a waterfall, only it's not water that is flowing over you, but the grace of God. Allow yourself to feel the peace and healing that is yours as you are cleansed by His mercy.