Focus

As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God in whatever way that may take place.

---

Read

Ezekiel 47:1-12 (NRSV)

Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple; there, water was flowing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east); and the water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east; and the water was coming out on the south side.

Going on eastward with a cord in his hand, the man measured one thousand cubits, and then led me through the water; and it was ankle-deep. Again he measured one thousand, and led me through the water; and it was knee-deep. Again he measured one thousand, and led me through the water; and it was up to the waist. Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed. He said to me, “Mortal, have you seen this?”

Then he led me back along the bank of the river. As I came back, I saw on the bank of the river a great many trees on the one side and on the other. He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah; and when it enters the sea, the sea of stagnant waters, the water will become fresh. Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish, once these waters reach there. It will become fresh; and everything will live where the river goes. People will stand fishing beside the sea from En-gedi to En-eglaim; it will be a place for the spreading of nets; its fish will be of a great many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt. On the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”

---

Reflect

People are drawn to water. Civilizations have always begun near a source of water because people need water to live. Water also provided a source for food and a means of transportation and communication.

Today people who live in developed areas of the world can get water, food, transportation, and communication just about anywhere. Yet we are still drawn to water for recreation and relaxation: swimming pools, Jacuzzis, the beach, the ocean, a lake, a mountain stream. In the vision of the Temple that God gave Ezekiel, water played a central role: it flowed forth as a symbol of refreshment and new life. That water grew deeper and deeper. In an arid climate like the Middle East, a reliable source of water is particularly important, but water means life anywhere.

As you follow where God leads you, is your faith growing deeper and deeper like the water in Ezekiel’s vision did? Does how you live out your faith draw needy/thirsty people to God, like the water in Ezekiel’s vision would have? God is wise enough to lead us into the shallows of Christianity first, but God never intends for us to stay there. We are called to go deeper.

---

Pray

As a deer longs for flowing streams, my spirit longs for you, O God. Deep calls to deep, and your depth calls me to deepen my faith. Thank you for life-giving water. Thank you for refreshment of the spirit. Thank you for calling me to be more than I am right now. Amen.

Go with God.