“You have got to be kidding!” I gasped as my health-conscious friend tried to impress upon me the need to drink at least a half gallon of water a day. “I can barely get a glassful down!” I continued to protest. I knew that my body needed water to flush toxins and waste from my system, to keep the skin clear and moisturized, to keep the eyes sparkling, etc. But. The very thought of all that water made me gag. Honestly, I had to force myself to drink at least one 8 ounce glass of undiluted water a day – and I thought that was quite an accomplishment! Anyway, what was the big deal? After all I reasoned, I got plenty of fluid from all the other beverages I consumed throughout the day (iced tea, sodas, juice, even Kool-Aid),
Not to be put off, my friend continued to rehearse the benefits of drinking adequate amounts of water per day. I listened, half-heartedly, but could not picture myself running around with a half-gallon tank of water all day or sipping it by the glass when other beverages were so much more enjoyable and favorable. It was not until my younger sister was diagnosed with renal disease that I began to realize the seriousness of what I had been told. My grandmother and aunt had both died years earlier from renal failure but they were old, I had concluded. Now my sister, three years my junior, was battling for her life. I literally watched her degenerate before my eyes. The years of dialysis, a kidney transplant and later its rejection, plus consequential dialysis (limited by collapsed veins, blocked shunts, clotted catheters, and other complications) robbed her of physical, psychological, and spiritual strength and vitality.
Determined not to follow the path she had taken, I initiated a strict regiment of daily water consumption. I began by drinking 8 ounces of water every four hours (just like taking medicine). It was an uphill battle all the way. Addicted to sugar, I just could not stomach the bland taste of water. My friend suggested adding a couple of slices of lemon to the water. I did but still had to add just a little sugar. Gradually I eliminated the sugar and increased my consumption to 8 ounces every three waking hours. It wasn’t long before my desire for sweetened beverages decreased altogether. Now I drink a half gallon or more of water daily and wonder of wonders, it is now my preferred beverage! I keep bottled water with me at all times.
H2O. Water. The life-sustaining fluid essential for proper functioning of the body: for cleansing, replenishing, refreshing and rejuvenation. Whatever your preference – tap, distilled, mineral, stream, purified, bottled – make water consumption a priority in your daily routine. Bear in mind, too, that just as the body requires water to replenish itself, so our spirits thirst for the Living Water (Holy Spirit) to rejuvenate our parched souls. The cares of this world, our trials and tribulations, and our own selfish natures regularly deplete our vitality and impede our ability to fulfill our designated purpose in life. We have been created to draw from the Giver and Sustainer of Life, our Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ and apart from Him we will all perish (just as surely as a person in the desert for days without water).
The Bible teaches that “all have sinned and short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23); we are unable to measure up to His standards and the “wages of sin -what we earned- is death”- separation from God for all of eternity (Romans 6:23a). Wait, it doesn’t stop there. There is good news! “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23b). If you are thirsty and long for cleansing, refreshing, and rejuvenation He is willing, ready, and able to replenish your spirit. Jesus said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink” (John 7:37). We can satisfy our physical thirst but only Christ can satisfy the spiritual thirst of our souls. He is more than enough and he satisfies completely.
O, taste and see that the Lord is good! (Psalms 34:8)
