Ever since I was a young girl, I remember experiencing a closeness to God while spending time at the seashore. I am still in awe of being near bodies of water, whether it be the ocean, a lake, or a river. It never grows old; rather, it is life-giving and refreshing for my spirit.
Eight year old me on the left enjoying the beach at North Wildwood, NJ
The still young me being refreshed in spirit at Lake Ontario
It has been a nice exercise to reflect on why I enjoy it while searching Scripture. What makes God’s creation of water areas so special to me?
The water reminds me of God.
*The water reminds me I have oneness with God.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. –Genesis 1:1-2 (NIV)
We know God has always existed. He then formed the heavens and the earth. The earth was totally empty, yet water was present with God in the beginning. God’s Spirit was hovering over the waters. Maybe that is why I feel oneness with God when I’m near the water. I long to experience the Spirit of God in my life and oneness with Him.
*The water reminds me that God is with me during the raging waters of life.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you… –Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)
When I am at the ocean, watching the waves come roaring in as they crash into the shore and then dissipate, I am reminded that God is with me through the raging storms. He will not let me be swept away in the rough waters. What a comfort that is.
The rougher waters of Lake Ontario
*The water reminds me of the joy we have in knowing God as our Abba.
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.” –Isaiah 12:2-4 (ESV)
We have the gift of salvation because of God and Jesus. Daily, we grow in trust and fear less because we know that God is our strength. The water symbolizes the joy we have in knowing the Lord, giving thanks to Him, and sharing His glorious deeds and name with others.
*The water reminds me that the Lord will guide me continually.
And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. –Isaiah 58:11 (ESV)
The vastness of the ocean reminds me that God is always guiding us. No matter what the circumstances of our lives are, He is guiding us and making us stronger in Him. We have His assurance that our water source will never dry up in our lives.
*The water reminds me that God provides peace and tranquility in our lives.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul… –Psalm 23:2-3 (NIV)
When the waters are calm, I am filled with peace and tranquility, knowing deep in my spirit that life is okay no matter what is happening. God is at the center of my life and in my heart, so I can experience the peace that surpasses all understanding.
The calm and tranquil water of Lake Ontario
The water reminds me of Jesus.
*The water reminds me of when Jesus was baptized.
One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.” –Mark 1:9-11 (NLT)
I am grateful for the opportunity I had earlier this year to be at the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized. Water is symbolic of new life that we are all granted, even Jesus, when we are baptized. We become God’s dearly loved son or daughter just as Jesus did.
The Jordan River where Jesus was baptized
*The water reminds me how Jesus’ command can calm storms in our lives.
One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” –Luke 8:22-25 (NIV)
I like how this story shows Jesus’ power over the storms in our lives. Jesus, in His humanity, falls asleep shortly after getting into the boat. He trusts that everything will work out because He knows that, ultimately, God is over all. When the disciples wake Jesus in their panic, He gets up and rebukes the wind and waters, so the lake is calm. The disciples were shocked when they saw what Jesus did. Jesus wanted them to have faith, just as He wants us to have faith, during the storms in our lives.
*The water reminds me of how I want the living waters flowing from my heart always.
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” –John 7:37-38 (ESV)
I never want to be thirsty again, but if I am, I know to fill up with Jesus! When we believe in Jesus, we are assured that from our hearts, rivers of His living water will flow into the lives of all we encounter. What a great blessing to be assured of. The living water in us will spill over into others’ lives and impact them.
May rivers of living water flow from us…
May you be encouraged this week, even if you’re not near bodies of water, of…
…being one with God.
…God being with you in the raging waters of life.
…the joy of knowing God is your Abba.
…the Lord guiding you.
…God providing peace and tranquility for you.
…Jesus’ baptism.
…Jesus commanding the calming of storms.
…the living waters flowing from your heart.
Spirit of God, I ask that you hover over each of our lives this week, just as You did over the waters before you formed heaven and earth. Wash over us, changing us to be more like you. In the ebb and flow of life, helps us hold onto you knowing you calm the storms in our lives and provide peace. Quench our thirst and let our hearts flow with your living water. We ask all this in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! –Amos 5:24 (NIV)
