Life, Aqueducts, and the Body

Over the last year or so, the above passage has been very important to me. I love the visual of God’s goodness turning death to Life. The Water that flows from the Temple (or the Spirit that is an extension of God) spurs Life wherever it flows. The trees on the bank grow fruit, and their leaves don’t wither. God has given Life to that which was dead.

The idea of death to Life is something that I think about quite often. I fully desire to be a person that swims in the River flowing from the Temple. I desire to be a person that is sensitive to the movement of the Spirit in my life. I desire to be a tool that God uses to help people go from death to Life.

I told my husband, “I want to be a tributary of the River.”

He said, “No, Gail. You want to be an aqueduct! You want to extend the Water to places beyond the river’s reach to help bring Life to the area.”

After thinking on how I can be an aqueduct, I decided that I want to be in a community of aqueducts. Then, I realized that all people carry the Water differently. So, I amended my thought process and decided that I want to be in a community of Water carriers.

In closing, here are my thoughts and questions:

Am I swimming in the Water in such a way that the Water is allowed to bring Life to that which was dead?

Water carrying connects to the body of Christ. Am I carrying the Water to bring Life from death in other areas outside the river? Ultimately, how can I be an aqueduct for the Life-giving water of Christ?

How can we, as the church, be sensitive to the movement of the Spirit in the church? How is He directing us to carry the Water to those that need its Life-giving powers?

Is the community, of which I am a part, swimming the Water in such a way that it helps bring forth Life? Is the community inviting others to join in the swim? I believe this extends beyond the walls of the church! This is in the coffee shop, the park, the grocery store, with my extended family, in school, the gas station, with neighbors, etc. Ultimately, is the community of which I am a part carrying the Water to other people and places to help bring forth Life?

How can I interact with the community to encourage them to share the Water with others outside the community?