Flashback 2010: Water

I wrote this in 2010 in India and it came back to mind this week with lots of hate displayed in the media.  It was published in the “Women of the Harvest” Ezine back then. I’m sitting on my hands in order to not rewrite and expand on it now because it still challenges me as is, and is reflective of my state of mind as I adjusted to life there.  I hope it challenges you, too!

“A lot of community life goes on outside of my window. People that live near our old building in a decrepit part of the city hang out in the courtyard at least a couple of times a day when the water comes on and the common tap that supplies water begins to flow (ours gets pumped to a tank on the roof during these times). It’s been fun to observe their individual personalities, hear the clinking and clanging of pots and pans, the chatting and laughter.

There are arguments, too. Sometimes quite heated. But before too long it goes back to the general sharing of lives, teasing, and playfulness.

You see, while they represent different personalities, families, types of employment, etc, they have to work it out and get along. Because they all share the same source of water!

I’ve been learning a lot about fellowship in the Body as well since we live in close community with co-workers. They are an awesome group of people and we get along really well, but in a practical way it’s brought Rom 12: 9-18 to life. Words like, “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them,” takes on a deeper meaning when you’re around ‘them’ 24-7 while overheated and overworked. “Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable,” when 20 the women who work in the business we’re part of work in a room just across a small balcony from our kitchen and can easily assess the atmosphere of what’s going on in our home.

It challenges me about how to live that way in a broader perspective, too. We are all so different; have different goals, dreams, callings on our lives, preferences, things we do or don’t enjoy—–but we really SHOULD to get along.

Why? WE share the same Source of Water, too.”

“But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:14

“Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'” John 7:38

It’s always, always available—so dive right in!