If you’ve read my blog before, you know that water is SO important to me! I have to have my water every day! It is one of the most important things I do all day is to try and drink at least half my body weight in water.
However, one day a couple of weeks ago, I tipped my head back to guzzle my morning 22 oz. water bottle and had a distinct thought pop into my head. Call it what you will, but I call it inspiration or a prompting from the Spirit on things I need to be aware of or change. The thought was this, “The living water (Christ) is so much more important to your day than liquid water.” It was so powerful that it took me me by surprise for a minute. I set my water down and began to write the thoughts that flooded my mind.
It was the first Sunday of the month, and as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints, on the first Sunday we fast for at least 2 meals. Then we donate what we would have spent on those meals to what we call a “fast offering”. That money provides assistance to the poor and needy. The fast is also beneficial to us physically, and it increases humility and spirituality on the part of each individual.
As I said it was the first Sunday so I had just prayed before I broke my fast (we also end our fast with a prayer). These are some of the thoughts that flooded my mind when I tipped my head back to break my fast with that very full water: Do I pray first thing in the morning like I chug my water down? Am I excited to to talk to God about what my plans are for the day? Do I take the time to listen to what He as to say? Do I take the opportunity to learn from Him by listening to what His plans are for me to do during that day not only through His spirit but also through His words from the scriptures?
Am I excited to talk to Him throughout that day to let Him know how things are going? Do I ask for forgiveness regularly for the mistakes that I made? Do I check in with Him at the end of the day to discuss how it went and to go over the accomplishments that I had or didn’t have? Do I talk about my feelings and the strength that I may have gained that day? Do I take the opportunity to show gratitude for the good that took place in my day?
I know these are a lot of questions to contemplate. But they really made me think hard about what is most important. Water for my physical body? Or Living water for my spirit?
In the Bible, when Christ meets the woman at the well He asks her for a drink. He then explains the significance of what He had asked. We read in John 4:13-14
13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: (meaning physical water from the well)
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (meaning The Gospel of Jesus Christ)
These things that I have mentioned are so much more important than getting in my daily ounces of water. While that is important, our emphasis should be on getting our time with the Lord FIRST. To have experiences or ounces if you will, with the Lord daily, multiple times per day.
I was also thinking about what getting dehydrated does to your body. Just few of the symptoms of dehydration in the physical body are:
- Increased thirst.
- Dry mouth.
- Tired or sleepy
- Headache.
- Dry skin.
- Dizziness.
So I got thinking about that in a spiritual sense and how dehydration of the spirit (or lack of the spirit in our lives) would look to us. And these are some of the things I came up with. I’m sure there are many more but here are a few:
- A greater amount of contention
- Anxiety
- Easily provoked to anger
- Lack of willingness to serve others (selfishness)
- Low self -control or lack of self discipline
- We may make unwise choices
- Wrestless feelings or lack of peace
- Feelings that something is missing in our lives
Since that day with the water bottle, I have actively tried to make Christ an even greater part of my day to day life. I have been amazed at the light and inspiration that seem to flow (like water) into my mind and heart. I have been setting aside a block of time during the day to study His word. I have been doing this most of my life. But instead of rushing through my study just to get it done I am more intentional and dedicated to setting that block of time to ponder and meditate upon the words of the scriptures and to listen to what God has for me to learn, know, or do that day. It has greatly enhanced my day.
Some of the benefits that I have noticed since I have been doing this are: I am less anxious and more at peace throughout the day. I am less distracted by social media and other distractions that seem to bombard us daily. I am happier about waking up in the morning (its easier to roll out of bed and not hit the snooze button). I find that I have more charity towards others (I am not as easily annoyed, lol). I’m literally filled with a joy that I have not experienced in this way. And I find myself looking for ways to interact with others and share a little light with them. Just brighten someones day with a smile, a text, a phone call, etc. In John & 37
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Kathleen H. Hughes a former member of the General Relief Society said this in a talk given in April of 2003
“Living water heals. It nourishes and sustains. It brings peace and joy.
A woman I know was struggling with anger toward someone who had hurt her and her family. Though she told her children not to become embittered and resentful, she fought those feelings herself. After weeks of entreating her Father in Heaven, she finally felt a change. She related: “One day, in the midst of my nearly constant prayers, the healing came. I felt a physical sensation spread through my body. After, I felt a sense of security and peace. I knew that regardless of what happened, my family and I would be all right. The anger left me and so did my desire for retaliation.”
The living water is the gospel of Jesus Christ; its communicator is the Holy Ghost. My friend knew what was right. She had said the appropriate words to her family. But only when she humbled herself enough to drink of the water—to feel the Holy Spirit—could she begin to heal.”
It is my hope that together we can seek greater humility in our lives so that we can each partake of the Living Water. Christ brings healing power, He hydrates us and feels us with love. If we immerse (I love that word!) ourselves in the Gospel of Jesus Christ we will be amazed at the light and love that flow endlessly into our daily lives.
Oh and drink your water too! 🙂
XO Wendy
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