“those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life."
I don’t need to tell you that we are living in extraordinary times. We all know and feel deep in our bones the divisions in our country, the unknown nature of our future together as a global community. We feel the fear around us and within us and the ways it can incapacitate us as individuals and communities and so we ask ‘What is it that will relieve our fear or at least help us to translate this fear into proper action, appropriate response, responsible behavior?’
Often, we rightly focus our attention as churches on issues of social justice, on righting the wrongs done to the most vulnerable in our society. But in the midst of this work, we can sometimes forget just how important it is to provide spiritual nourishment for people as well. We can forget to say through words as well as actions that you are a beloved child of God, that nothing you do can separate you from this vast, all-encompassing love, that there are communities of faith that will accept you just the way you are, no changes necessary.
There is a need out there for exactly what we in the UCC have to offer. People need to understand that there is a way of being religious where you don’t have to check your heart and brain at the door. They need permission to be filled with doubt and questions and wonder and faith all at the same time. They need the messages found in the person and teachings of Jesus, that God cares for the least of these, that hope is possible, that resurrection is a reality, in our hearts, in our communities, in our world. They need to experience a place where people come together for honest discussion coupled with unquestioning acceptance and love.
I wonder how we can boldly, prophetically, offer that living water to those who are parched, those who are hurting, those who need not just physical, but spiritual aid? And as we do this, may we continue to open our hearts and minds to this life-giving source so that we can say with the Samaritan woman, “give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty”.