When I was a kid, my family lived in an antique farm house in a semi-rural area. The house sat on six acres. Our well was uphill from the house and as far away as it could be, while still on our land. The long pipe from well to house, even with an electric pump assisting, was inadequate for a family of five. But, the well never ran dry. As odd as it sounds in our present age of daily showers, each family member was permitted only one bath a week. We did not draw fresh water for the next person in line until the water was gray. My mother had a suds-saver washing machine. It made it possible to use the old water over again for the next load of laundry. We did not wear fresh clean clothes every day. We were all expected to wear everything except undergarments multiple times before adding them to the dirty clothes pile. While cringe-worthy today, this was normal when I was a kid. Or maybe nobody talked about it.

Living Water

In reflecting on that artesian well, I discovered that the Holy Spirit is like that well. Christ, the living water, bubbles up in each Christian through the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus spoke about this in John 7:37-39, “…Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’ By this he meant the Spirit…”

Our prayers are like a pipeline. I’m wondering how often we interfere with the flow. Do we allow too much time to lapse between prayers? We are instructed to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Do we dwell on the past rather than letting fresh insights pour into our hearts and minds? Do we put on our old behaviors instead of seeking guidance from the Spirit? Do we labor at the pump and draw on our doubts, or do we rest while trusting God?

Let it Flow

One summer, Dad and I put in a new pipeline. He dug the trenches and laid the plastic pipe. I kneaded the plastic bags of epoxy that we used to seal the joints. Water—and showers—became plentiful.

I’m laying a new pipeline for the Holy Spirit by renewing my commitment to daily Bible study and writing in my prayer journal with expectation and hope. I’m learning to recognize the small and surprising ways God answers those prayers. Won’t you join me? Draw from the well of our salvation (Isaiah 12: 3).

Your comments are welcome!